IMPACT OF PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY ON ORAL HEALTH IN PATIENTS UNDERGOING FIXED ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED TRIAL.

AIM: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of photodynamic laser therapy (PDT) on the condition of gingiva and dental plaque in patients with fixed orthodontic appliances (FOA) at various time intervals during orthodontic treatment. METHODOLOGY: This research is a randomized controlled trial involving 60 patients with fixed orthodontic appliances, divided into two groups of 30 each. The first group served as the control, while the second group received the photodynamic treatment. Assessments of gingival and plaque conditions were conducted at two different time intervals. On the first day (T1), the gingival condition and dental plaque levels were evaluated using the gingival index (GI) and the dental plaque index (DPI) based on the Loe-Sillness and Sillness-Loe indexes. The test group was administered PDT with methylene blue, while the control group did not receive laser activation. On the 30th day (T2), gingival and plaque conditions were re-evaluated using the GI and DPI. Results were analyzed with SPSS, using independent samples t-tests and repeated measures ANOVA. RESULTS: In T1, the gingival condition according to GI in the test group was 50% mild inflammation, 36.7% normal, and 13.3% moderate inflammation. In T2, it shifted to 50% normal, 43.3% mild, and 6.7% moderate inflammation. Dental plaque at T1 according to DPI: 40% had film on the gingival margin, 36.7% moderate deposits in pocket, 16.7% no plaque, and 6.7% abundant soft matter. At T2: 56.7% film on margin, 30% no plaque, 13.3% moderate deposits in pocket. ANOVA revealed significant differences in GI and DPI (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: PDT with methylene blue demonstrates a statistically significant improvement in gingival health and reduction in dental plaque accumulation in patients undergoing FOA. This suggests that PDT could be a valuable adjunct to traditional oral hygiene practices for managing gingivitis and plaque-related issues in orthodontic patients.