Effect of photodynamic therapy and laser alone as adjunct to scaling and root planing on gingival crevicular fluid inflammatory proteins in periodontal disease: A systematic review

BACKGROUND: To assess the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) or laser therapy (LT) alone as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) on the gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) inflammatory proteins in periodontal disease.

METHODS: Databases (MEDLINE via PubMed; EMBASE; Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials and Cochrane Oral Health Group Trials Register databases) were searched from 1980 up to and including July 2016. The addressed PICO question was: "What effect does aPDT and/or LT as an adjunct to SRP have on the GCF inflammatory proteins in periodontal disease patients?"

RESULTS: Eight studies used aPDT while 10 studies used laser alone. Eight cytokines including tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-8, IL-10, interferon gamma (IFN-γ), matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) were eligible for qualitative analysis for aPDT and LT studies. Four aPDT studies showed significant reduction in IL-1β while one study showed significant reduction in TNF-α levels after aPDT application at follow-up. One study showed significant reduction of IFN-γ, IL-8 and GM-CSF levels after aPDT at follow-up. IL-1β significantly reduced in 4 LT studies, while one study showed significant decrease for IL-6 and TIMP-1 levels. MMP-8 and TNF-α showed significant reduction in three and one study respectively.

CONCLUSION: It remains debatable whether adjunctive aPDT or LT is effective in the reduction of GCF inflammatory proteins in periodontal disease due to non-standard laser parameters and short follow up period. These findings should be considered preliminary and further studies with long-term follow up and standardized laser parameters are recommended.