Photodynamic therapy as a co-adjutant to non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a randomized, controlled clinical trial

Abstract

The goal of periodontal treatment is to restore tissue health through the elimination and control of etiologic factors, reducing the microbial aggression. Some microorganisms persist in the root surface even after scraping. Thus, the conventional mechanical treatment may fail to reduce the number of periodontal pathogens to levels compatible with health. The aim of this study is to verify the effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) as an adjunct to non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis by assessing clinical and microbiological parameters. There will be a randomized clinical controlled double-blind split-mouth to assess 41 patients. Individuals with chronic periodontitis will be subjected to conventional periodontal treatment. After six weeks, patients are going to be revaluated and sites with residual pockets (PD = 5 mm ) will be selected as experimental sites, and will be allocated to test and control group randomly. The test group will receive the application of PDT and the control group will receive sham procedure. The clinical parameters are going to be evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, 6 and 12 months after treatment. The collection of subgingival plaque is going to be made before PDT, a week after, 6 weeks and 6 months later. The microbiological evaluation will be made from the detection and quantification of periodontal pathogens such as Porphyromonas gingivalis, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola and Aggregatibacter actinomycetencomitans by the polymerase chain in real time (real time PCR). During the monitoring period, patients will receive periodontal maintenance every 3 months, as well as the application of PDT. (AU)