Photodvnamic Therapy in Endodontics.
Zahed Mohammadi1, Hamid Jafarzadeh2, Sousan Shalavi3
1Iranian Center for Endodontic Research, Research Institute of Dental Sciences, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran; Iranian National Elite Foundation, Tehran, Islamic Republic of Iran.
The Journal of Contemporary Dental Practice
|June 17, 2017
Summary
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) offers an advanced method to enhance root canal disinfection by using a photosensitizer and light to kill bacteria. This approach shows promise for improving dental treatment outcomes, especially in endodontics.
Area of Science:
- Dental research
- Biomedical engineering
- Photochemistry
Background:
- Standard root canal irrigants may not fully eliminate microbial flora.
- Photodynamic therapy (PDT) presents an alternative disinfection strategy.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the historical perspective, mechanism of action, and applications of PDT in dentistry, with a focus on endodontics.
- To discuss the effects of PDT on dentin bonding and endotoxin.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing literature on photodynamic therapy in dentistry.
- Analysis of the mechanism involving photosensitizers, light, and oxygen to produce cytotoxic species.
- Examination of PDT applications in periodontics, caries disinfection, surgical procedures, and stomatitis.
Main Results:
- PDT utilizes photosensitizers and low-intensity light to generate reactive oxygen species that damage bacterial cell walls.
- Phenothiazinium photosensitizers are effective and safe for periodontal treatment.
- PDT has diverse applications including caries disinfection, pre-surgical disinfection, and treatment of oral candidiasis.
- PDT can be combined with mechanical instrumentation and chemical agents like sodium hypochlorite.
Conclusions:
- Photodynamic therapy is advocated for increasing the disinfection level within the root canal system.
- Further research is needed to fully understand PDT's effects on dentin bonding and endotoxin.
