Periodontal, Microbiological, and Proinflammatory Cytokines Levels in Fixed Orthodontics Patients Treated with Photodynamic Therapy Adjunct to Full Mouth Scaling

Objective: To assess the efficiency of photodynamic therapy (PDT) adjunct to full mouth scaling (FMS) in improving periodontal, microbiological, and proinflammatory cytokines levels in patients undergoing fixed orthodontics treatment (FOT). Materials and methods: The study recruited 60 teenage patients who were undergoing FOT. All the patients were arbitrarily divided into two groups: Group 1, FMS +PDT and Group 2, FMS alone. Plaque scores (PS), bleeding on probing (BOP), and probing depth (PD) were assessed. Levels of biomarkers interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay were evaluated. Samples were collected from gingival plaque for estimation of Prevotella intermedia and Porphyromonas gingivalis load. All measurements were completed at three intervals baseline, 4th week, and 8th week. Post Hoc corrections and intergroup comparisons were examined using Student's t-test and Bonferroni correction. To find differences between repeated follow-ups, analysis of variance (ANOVA) multiple rank tests were used. Results: At baseline, all the gingival parameters displayed comparable outcomes between patients of Group 1 and Group 2 (p > 0.05). However, at 4 and 8 weeks of follow-up, PS and BOP among tested groups exhibited significantly lower values than baseline (p < 0.001). At 8 weeks, there was a significant difference in PS between the two groups tested. Moreover, at 4 and 8 weeks, BOP revealed a significant difference between the groups. PD remains comparable with baseline at follow-up visits (p > 0.05). A significant decrease in IL-6 and TNF-α levels was observed in both investigated groups at 4 and 8 weeks of baseline. Moreover, it was identified that P. intermedia and P. gingivalis were reduced significantly at 4 weeks. Moreover, a significant difference existed between both Group 1 and Group 2 at 4 and 8 weeks of recall visit (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The use of photodynamic treatment adjuvant to FMS aids in improving periodontal parameters and cytokines levels.