One-year outcomes of repeated adjunctive photodynamic therapy during periodontal maintenance: a proof-of-principle randomized-controlled clinical trial

  1. Martina Lulic1,
  2. Isabelle Leiggener Görög2,
  3. Giovanni E. Salvi2,
  4. Christoph A. Ramseier2,
  5. Nikolaos Mattheos3,
  6. Niklaus P. Lang1

Article first published online: 25 JUN 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01432.x

Issue

Journal of Clinical Periodontology

Journal of Clinical Periodontology

Volume 36, Issue 8, pages 661–666, August 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Lulic, M., Leiggener Görög, I., Salvi, G. E., Ramseier, C. A., Mattheos, N. and Lang, N. P. (2009), One-year outcomes of repeated adjunctive photodynamic therapy during periodontal maintenance: a proof-of-principle randomized-controlled clinical trial. Journal of Clinical Periodontology, 36: 661–666. doi: 10.1111/j.1600-051X.2009.01432.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Prince Philip Dental Hospital, The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China

  2. 2

    School of Dental Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland and

  3. 3

    School of Medicine and Oral Health, Griffith University, Gold Coast, Qld, Australia

*Address: Niklaus P. Lang Prince Philip Dental Hospital The University of Hong Kong 34 Hospital Road, Sai Ying Pun Hong Kong China E-mail: nplang@dial.eunet.ch

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 JUL 2009
  2. Article first published online: 25 JUN 2009
  3. Accepted for publication 23 April 2009

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Keywords:

  • clinical outcomes;
  • PDT;
  • periodontal maintenance;
  • photodynamic therapy;
  • probing depth;
  • RCT;
  • supportive periodontal therapy

Abstract

Background: Single photodynamic therapy (PDT) has been effective in initial periodontal therapy, but only improved bleeding on probing (BoP) in maintenance patients after a single use. Repeated PDT has not been addressed.

Objectives: To study the possible added benefits of repeated adjunctive PDT to conventional treatment of residual pockets in patients enrolled in periodontal maintenance.

Material and Methods: Ten maintenance patients with 70 residual pockets [probing pocket depth (PPD)geqslant R: gt-or-equal, slanted5 mm] were randomly assigned for treatment five times in 2 weeks (Days 0, 1, 2, 7, 14) with PDT (test) or non-activated laser (control) following debridement. The primary outcome variable was PPD, and the secondary variables were clinical attachment level (CAL) and BoP. These were assessed at 3, 6 and 12 months following the interventions.

Results: Greater PPD reductions were observed in the test (−0.67 ± 0.34; p=0.01) compared with the control patients (−0.04 ± 0.33; NS) after 6 months. Significant CAL gain (+0.52 ± 0.31; p=0.01) was noted for the test, but not in the control (−0.27 ± 0.52; NS) patients after 6 months. BoP percentages dcreased significantly in test (97–64%, 67%, 77%), but not control patients after 3, 6 and 12 months.

Conclusions: Repeated (five times) PDT adjunctive to debridement yielded improved clinical outcomes in residual pockets in maintenance patients. The effects were best documented after 6 months.

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