Photodynamic therapy - Is it a new relevant antimicrobial approach in periodontology?

Considering limited results of mechanical approaches in periodontology, different treatment modalities have been documented. Recently, a new technology, photodynamic therapy has been utilised as a local anti-infective technique based on the activation of a dye by a light source with specific wavelength. It is efficient in killing periodontopathic bacteria, whether or not they are resistant to antibiotics. Furthermore, there is no induction of bacterial resistance. Thus, photodynamic therapy overcomes the limits of antibiotics treatments. The treatment time is short, and the technique is easy to implement. First clinical results have demonstrated some improvements for usual clinical parameters, but further studies are necessary to confirm its beneficial effect. (authors)