Photodynamic Therapy for Biomodulation and Disinfection in Implant Dentistry: Is It Feasible and Effective?

Abstract

Dental implants are the most common rehabilitation and restorative treatment used to replace missing teeth. Biofilms adhere to implant surfaces to trigger implant‐associated infection and inflammatory response. Clinically, the biofilm induces a local host response with the infiltration of phagocytic immune cells. The pro‐inflammatory surroundings set off osteoclastogenesis, which leads to the septic loosening of the implant. The standard of dental care for implant‐associated infection relies on a combination of surgery and antimicrobial therapy. Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy is a noninvasive and photochemistry‐based approach capable of reducing bacterial load and modulating inflammatory responses. In this review, we explore the photobiomodulation and disinfection outcomes promoted by photodynamic therapy for implant infections, highlighting the quality of evidence on the most up‐to‐date studies, and discuss the major challenges on the advance of these therapeutic strategies.

Magnetic‐based photosensitizer to improve the efficiency of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy against mature dental caries‐related biofilms

“…Initial tests demonstrated that the MagTBO microemulsion possessed significant antibiofilm properties against static cariogenic biofilms. 23 Furthermore, our research determined that 100 µg/mL of TBO with an energy density of 180 J/cm 2 achieved optimal biofilm reduction. 24 In this study, our objective was to assess the effectiveness of the MagTBO microemulsion against dynamic biofilm models aged 5 and 10 days.…”

“…23 Besides, the condition of the grown biofilm is a critical factor, as in vivo, mature, and thick biofilms are expected to be more resistant to aPDT. 23 The current study utilized SPIONs and TBO carried into a microemulsion named MagTBO. When subjected to a magnetic field, both the SPIONs and the TBO photosensitizer inside the microemulsion will be pulled toward the deep layers of biofilms, resulting in more penetration and more eradication following irradiation.…”

“…This dispute was observed in many biofilm‐triggered diseases, including dental caries, periodontitis, and peri‐implantitis 10,17 . Such conflicting outcomes may be attributed to the different parameters used during the aPDT procedure 23 . Besides, the condition of the grown biofilm is a critical factor, as in vivo, mature, and thick biofilms are expected to be more resistant to aPDT 23 …”

Repeated irradiation by light-emitting diodes may impede the spontaneous progression of experimental periodontitis: a preclinical study

“…Previous studies have hinted at the possibility of a biomodulatory effect of LEDs, as light irradiation at 809 nm has been shown to stimulate the proliferation of human fibroblast cells in vitro [ 39 ]. It has been proposed that the photons that do not reach the photosensitizers are scattered and absorbed by cellular photoreceptors in the mitochondria of surrounding tissue, leading to increased mitochondrial membrane potential, oxygen consumption, and ATP levels [ 40 ]. The induced photobiomodulation effect may lead to shifts in gene expression, cell signaling, and cytokine secretion conducive to wound healing and periodontal regeneration, in addition to the direct antimicrobial effect of PDT.…”

Diode Laser as an Adjunctive Treatment for Peri-implant Mucositis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The findings of using lasers of various wavelengths in treating peri-implant diseases have been reported in several reviews, 28 , 29 , 55 , 56 , 57 , 58 , 59 but the outcomes of using diode lasers in the management of peri-implant mucositis was reported in 2 systematic reviews. 20 , 60 Both reviews 20 , 60 included studies that evaluated the adjunctive use of both photodynamic therapy and diode laser of different wavelengths and showed that both adjunctive therapies did not provide additional benefits, in agreement with our findings.…”