Clinico-microbiologic impact of photodynamic therapy in periodontal pocket as an adjunct to mechanical debridement for the management of halitosis

Background: Halitosis associated with periodontitis shelters specific periodontal pathogens, especially at sites such as periodontal pockets and the dorsal surface of the tongue; antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) has shown an antimicrobial effect against them. Materials and Methods: A total of 24 participants with a clinical diagnosis of halitosis and stage II grade B periodontitis were divided into two groups. Scaling and root planing (SRP) plus aPDT was given to one group of 12 patients (group I), while SRP alone was performed in another. aPDT was performed using a 660 nm diode laser, in continuous contact mode. Clinical parameters such as halitosis score, plaque index, and probing depth were measured. Subgingival plaque samples were collected on 0, 3rd, 7th, and 14th day after treatment for microbiological analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis, Fusobacterium nucleatum, and Treponema denticola using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: Both groups have shown improvements in all clinical parameters, and statistically significant results were observed in group I compared with group II with a P < 0.05 from 0 day to 14 days. Conclusion: Within the scope of this study, the results have shown improvement in halitosis from a single sitting of aPDT, for a shorter duration and it can be recommended as adjunctive management for halitosis in patients with periodontal pockets.