Effects of Antimicrobial Photosensitizers of Photodynamic Therapy (PDT) to Treat Periodontitis

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy or aPDT is an alternative therapeutic approach in which lasers and different photosensitizing agents are used to eradicate periodontopathic bacteria in periodontitis. Periodontitis is a localized infectious disease caused by periodontopathic bacteria and can destroy bones and tissues surrounding and supporting the teeth. The aPDT system has been shown by in vitro studies to have high bactericidal efficacy. It was demonstrated that aPDT has low local toxicity, can speed up dental therapy, and is cost-effective. Several photosensitizers (PSs) are available for each type of light source which did not induce any damage to the patient and are safe. In recent years, significant advances have been made in aPDT as a non-invasive treatment method, especially in treating infections and cancers. Besides, aPDT can be perfectly combined with other treatments. Hence, this survey focused on the effectiveness and mechanism of aPDT of periodontitis by using lasers and the most frequently used antimicrobial PSs such as methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue ortho (TBO), indocyanine green (ICG), malachite green (MG) (Triarylmethanes), erythrosine dyes (ERY) (Xanthenes dyes), rose bengal (RB) (Xanthenes dyes), eosin-Y (Xanthenes dyes), radachlorin group and curcumin. The aPDT with these PSs can reduce pathogenic bacterial loads in periodontitis. Therefore, it is clear that there is a bright future for using aPDT to fight microorganisms causing periodontitis.