Method: Twelve HIV patients from the Paulista University, Brazil, with periodontitis were included in this 6-month, split-mouth, double-blind, controlled clinical trial. Patients were placed in the following groups: Group SRP - scaling and root planing with an ultrasonic device (SRP); and Group SRP+PDT - SRP associated with a course of photodynamic therapy with a diode laser with a wavelength of 660 nm and 30 mW power associated with metilene blue 0.01% lasting 133 seconds. All clinical measurements (periodontal probing depth (PPD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment level (CAL), full-mouth plaque index (FMPI), bleeding score (FMBS), and microbiological parameters (detection of Porphyromonas gingivalis (Pg), Tannerella forsythia (Tf), and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans (Aa) were assessed at baseline and at 45 days, 3 and 6 months after therapy. The ANOVA/Tukey was used for statistical analysis (α=5%).
Result: There were no differences in any of the investigated parameters observed at baseline in the two groups (p>0.05). Moreover, participants in the SRP+PDT group presented a higher PPD reduction and CAL gain than those in the SRP group at 45 days, 3 and 6 months. At six months, sites receiving SRP+PDT showed a PPD reduction of 1.4±0.5 mm, while those in the SRP group showed a 0.3±0.8 mm reduction (p<0.05). The CAL gain at the sixth month was 1.3±0.5 mm and 0.2±0.7 mm for participants in the SRP+PDT and SRP groups, respectively (p<0.05). Microbiologically, both therapies presented a reduction in the detection of Pg, Tf, and Aa, and there was no difference between them (p>0.05).
Conclusion: We concluded that PDT therapy used adjunctively to SRP could promote additional benefits in the treatment of HIV-associated periodontitis.