Abstract
Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a procedure whereby undesired tissue can be destroyed by the combined action of light, oxygen, and a photosensitizer. It is thought that a photosensitizer excited by light with a specific wavelength transfers its excitation energy to ground state oxygen molecules resulting in the generation of singlet oxygen. Singlet oxygen is a reactive oxygen species with high oxidative reactivity. Therefore, the reaction of singlet oxygen with cellular constituents can result in oxidative damage leading to cell death. Although PDT is mainly used in cancer treatment, several studies have shown that PDT also has antimicrobial properties. It has been proposed that the bactericidal effect of singlet oxygen generated by PDT could be used in clinical dentistry. Applications of PDT for the treatment of periodontitis and peri-implantitis, endodontic disease, and caries are now under study.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Clo E, Snyder JW, Ogilby PR et al (2007) Control and selectivity of photosensitized singlet oxygen production: challenges in complex biological systems. Chembiochem 8:475–481
Konopka K, Goslinski T (2007) Photodynamic therapy in dentistry. J Dent Res 86:694–707
Wood S, Metcalf D, Devine D et al (2006) Erythrosine is a potential photosensitizer for the photodynamic therapy of oral plaque biofilms. J Antimicrob Chemother 57:680–684
Dobson J, Wilson M (1992) Sensitization of oral bacteria in biofilms to killing by light from a low-power laser. Arch Oral Biol 37:883–887
Donnelly RF, McCarron PA, Tunney MM et al (2007) Potential of photodynamic therapy in treatment of fungal infections of the mouth. Design and characterisation of a mucoadhesive patch containing toluidine blue O. J Photochem Photobiol B 86:59–69
Komerik N, Nakanishi H, MacRobert AJ et al (2003) In vivo killing of Porphyromonas gingivalis by toluidine blue-mediated photosensitization in an animal model. Antimicrob Agents Chemother 47:932–940
Shibli JA, Martins MC, Ribeiro FS et al (2006) Lethal photosensitization and guided bone regeneration in treatment of peri-implantitis: an experimental study in dogs. Clin Oral Implants Res 17:273–281
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2010 Springer
About this paper
Cite this paper
Nakamura, K. et al. (2010). Bactericidal effect of photodynamic therapy. In: Sasano, T., Suzuki, O. (eds) Interface Oral Health Science 2009. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-99644-6_59
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-99644-6_59
Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo
Print ISBN: 978-4-431-99643-9
Online ISBN: 978-4-431-99644-6
eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)