The application of toluidine blue in photodynamic therapy for the treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis

CHUN-CHENG CHEN

Chung Shan Medical University, College of Oral Medicine, Department of Dentistry

Periodontitis, the disease of periodontal ligament often involving alveolar bone loss, and peri-implantitis, chronic bone loss around dental implant are both common diseases observed in the adult population. Bacterial infection is one of the main reasons of the diseases. Mechanical debridement and antimicrobials are the common methods of treating such diseases, while the effect of the traditional therapy are limited. A technique named Lethal Photosensitization or photodynamic therapy(PDT) using a GaAlAs diode laser, with a wavelength of 600-830nm and a power output of 50mW for 80 s (4J/cm²), and sensitized toluidine blue (100mg/ml) to treat periodontitis and also peri-implantitis. TBO is sensitized only by laser stimulation to kill microorganism. That means by using this technique, the reaction of drug can be minimized and localized to where we want it to be. The studies of PDT and also the clinical application and treatment results will be discussed.