Objectives: To investigate the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in reducing periodontal parameters and proteinase MMP-8.
Methods: 45 systemically healthy periodontitis patients seeking periodontal treatment were recruited for this study. Gingival crevicular fluids (GCFs) were collected before treatment, on 3rd and 6th month reviews after periodontal therapy. Scaling and root planing were performed on both test and control quadrants which were randomly assigned. Photodynamic therapy was carried out using commercially available device (Fotosan) with photosensitizer (toluidine blue) for 20 seconds at pockets deeper than 4 mm at test quadrant and was repeated again within one week after scaling and root planing. GCFs collected were analyzed using enzyme-link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) to detect MMP-8. Data collected were analyzed with SPSS using non-parametric tests.
Results: PDT group showed a lower bleeding on probing score at 3 months (P<0.05). At the 3rd and 6th months both modalities of therapy resulted in significant reduction in probing depths (P< 0.05). This was accompanied by a corresponding reduction in MMP-8 (P<0.05). For sites with PD improvement >2 mm, both PDT and control sites showed significant change in MMP-8 at 3rd month and 6th month.
Conclusions: Periodontal therapy with or without adjunctive PDT are effective in reducing probing depths and MMP-8 at 3 and 6 months following treatment.