Photo-activated elimination of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans in planktonic culture: Comparison of photodynamic therapy versus photothermal therapy method.

BACKGROUND: Periodontal pathogens are the main factors responsible for periodontal diseases and considering the limitations of conventional mechanical debridement, new treatment approaches are under investigation. This study was designed to evaluate and compare the antibacterial effects of two different systems of photodynamic and photothermal therapy on Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans as the main pathogen involved in aggressive Periodontitis.

METHODS: Cultures of Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans were exposed to 662nm laser in presence of Radachlorin® photosensitizer (photodynamic group) or 810nm laser in presence of EmunDo® photosensitizer (photothermal group), then bacterial suspension of each well in the study groups were diluted and subcultured on the surface of Muller-Hinton agar plates. subsequently the number of colony forming units per milliliter of the wells were determined and checked by analysis of variance and Tukey test (p<0.05).

RESULTS: Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans suspensions showed significant reduction in both groups of photodynamic and photothermal therapy with no priority.

CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, photodynamic and photothermal therapy can be proposed as a new promising approaches for bacterial elimination in periodontal diseases.