Photodynamic therapy – Is it more Effective than the Current standard of Care

Mechanical debridement is currently considered as the first line of defense against periodontitis. The mouth is a favorable habitat for a great variety of bacteria. Microbial composition of dental plaque is the usual cause of various oral diseases in humans, including dental caries, periodontal disease and halitosis. In general, oral antibacterial agents such as antibiotics are commonly used to treat oral bacterial infection. There has been upsurge of bacterial strains becoming resistant due to injudicious use of antibiotics recently. As a result there is pronounced interest and keenness in the development of alternate antimicrobial concept. To address these problems A New approach "Photodynamic therapy" has been investigated. Photodynamic therapy essentially involves the use of light activated drugs to kill periodontal pathogens. Toluidine blue or other Photoactivator drugs could be used to treat periodontitis, presumably by Laser activating such chemicals after they have been instilled within periodontal pocket.