Chinese Journal of Stomatological Continuing Education ›› 2025, Vol. 28 ›› Issue (6): 398-404.DOI: 10.12337/zgkqjxjyzz.2025.06.004

Previous Articles     Next Articles

Research Progress on Photodynamic Therapy as an Adjuvant Treatment for Periodontitis

Jinghong Tan1,3, Caiqing Qiu2, Wei Guo3,*   

  1. 1School of Stomatology, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong Province, P.R. China;
    2Department of Periodontics, The Affiliated Yantai Stomatological Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong Province, P.R. China;
    3Department of Endodontics & Laser Clinic, The Affiliated Yantai Stomatological Hospital, Binzhou Medical University, Yantai, Shandong Province, P.R. China
  • Online:2025-11-30 Published:2025-11-30
  • Contact: Wei Guo. Tel: 0535-6020127. Email: xyd_gw@163.com. Address: 1866 Guandanghe East Road, Laishan District, Yantai 264008, Shandong Province, P.R. China.
  • Supported by:
    Yantai Science and Technology Innovation Development Program (No.2023YD056)

Abstract: Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a new type of antibacterial method. This technology works by generating cytotoxic reactive oxygen species to destroy the DNA and cell membranes of pathogenic bacteria, achieving the purpose of treatment. Due to its advantages of being less likely to develop drug resistance and having low toxicity and minimal invasiveness, in recent years, a large number of scholars have conducted a series of studies on the effectiveness of PDT as an adjuvant treatment for periodontitis. This article reviews the research progress of PDT in the adjunctive treatment of periodontitis, including its working principle, mechanism of action, clinical efficacy and application in special populations, as well as innovative applications such as the development of new photosensitizers, optimized nanodelivery systems, improvement of therapeutic devices, implementation of individualized treatment strategies and application of up-conversion nanoparticles, offering new ideas for the treatment of periodontitis.

Key words: periodontitis, photodynamic therapy, adjuvant therapy, clinical efficacy, special population applications