Effectiveness of Photodynamic Therapy and Probiotics as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Debridement in the Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of a single application
of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and probiotics as an adjunct to scaling and root
debridement (SRD) to treat chronic periodontitis. The objectives of the study were to
compare the probing pocket depths and clinical attachment loss (CAL) in experimental
sites (E-sites) treated with PDT and probiotics with SRD against SRD alone (controls)
at the baseline and 3 months post intervention. Materials and Methods: In 22 chronic
periodontitis patients aged 25–45 years, 136 sites with pocket depths of 4–6 mm were
identified. In each patient, one E-site was randomly selected while one served as control.
E-sites were treated with SRD + PDT + probiotics whereas control sites received only
SRD. Clinical parameters of pocket depths and CAL were measured at the baseline
and at 3 months. Results: In the E-sites, mean pocket depth was 3.62 ± 1.40 mm at
the baseline and 3.12 ± 1.48 mm after 3 months. In the control sites, the mean pocket
depth was 3.43 ± 1.46 mm at the baseline and 2.99 ± 1.45 after 3 months. In the
E-sites, the mean CAL before treatment was 5.31 ± 1.39 mm and 5.10 ± 1.46 mm
after treatment. In the control sites, mean CAL before treatment was 5.15 ± 1.41
mm and 4.87 ± 1.55 mm after treatment. There was no significant improvement in
pockets depths and CAL between the E-sites and control sites. Conclusion: A single
application of PDT + probiotics with SRD did not show any additional clinical benefits
when compared with SRD alone. Further studies with multiple applications of PDT
and probiotics are needed.