Clinical Applications and Protocols of Antimicrobial Photodynamic in Dentistry
by Alessandra Nara de Souza Rastelli
DDS, MSc, PhD
Abstract
Photodynamic therapy is a technique that combines a chemical compound or dye named photosensitizer and a resonant visible or invisible light source, especially lasers and LEDs. In the presence of molecular oxygen, the photosensitizer changes its state from the ground to the excited state to produce reactive oxygen species (ROS) and singlet oxygen (1O2). PDT is able to eliminate unwanted eukaryotic cells (e.g., malignancies in the oral cavity) or pathogenic microorganisms (e.g., in bacterial, fungal or parasitic infections). Concerning aPDT, in dentistry this technique can be used to control the biofilms related to the dental caries, periodontal and peri-implant diseases, endodontic conditions, simplex herpes and candida disinfection, wound healing and oral lichen planus. The aim of this talk is to summarize the history, basic concepts and mechanisms, advantages and disadvantages of aPDT and to provide examples for current clinical applications and protocols of aPDT in dentistry.