Evaluation of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjuvant in Periodontal Treatment in Individual with Down Syndrome

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (aPDT), associated with scaling and root planing in the non-surgical periodontal treatment of individuals with Down Syndrome. Material and Methods: A controlled, randomized, split-mouth study was conducted. A total of 8 participants diagnosed with Down Syndrome aged 17-38 years of both sexes with clinical periodontitis were included in the study. Participants were treated at least three times: at the baseline, Plaque Index (PI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), and Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) were obtained. After one week, conventional scaling and root planing were performed, and two quadrants were randomly selected for aPDT application. The reassessment was obtained one month after the aPDT application. The significance level was set at 5%. Analyses were performed considering a 95% confidence interval. Results: In the intergroup evaluation, no statistically significant differences were observed (p>0.05). In the intragroup evaluation, no statistically significant variations were observed in relation to the PI (p>0.05) and PPD (p>0.05); however, a statistically significant reduction in the BOP was observed between the test group (p=0.013) and control group (p=0.015). Conclusion: The use of aPDT as adjuvant therapy did not promote additional benefits in decreasing PI and PPD after 1 month of treatment. However, a significant reduction in the BOP was observed in the intragroup evaluation.

Keywords

• Down Syndrome
• Lasers
• Photochemotherapy
• Periodontal Diseases