Comparative effects of different phenothiazine photosensitizers on experimental periodontitis treatment

Aim: The aim of the present study was to compare the effects of the phenothiazine photosensitizers methylene blue (MB), toluidine blue-O (TBO) and butyl toluidine blue (BuTB) in antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), as adjuvant therapy to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of experimental periodontitis (EP) in rats. Material and methods: 120 Wistar rats underwent ligation around the lower left molar. After seven days, the ligature was removed. The animals were separated into the following groups (n = 15): EP, no treatment; SRP, SRP and irrigation with saline solution; MB, SRP and deposition of MB; TBO, SRP and deposition of TBO; BuTB, SRP and deposition of BuTB; MB-aPDT, SRP and aPDT with MB; TBO-aPDT, SRP and aPDT with TBO and; BuTBaPDT, SRP and aPDT with BuTB. The aPDT session was performed after SRP, with deposition of the photosensitizer and irradiation with a diode laser (DL; InGaAlP, 660 nm, 40 mW, 60 s, 2.4 J). Histological and histometric analysis was performed. Results: BuTB-aPDT group had a lesser extent of the inflammatory process compared to the EP, SRP, MB and TBO at all experimental periods (p < 0.05). At 15 days, the aPDT treated groups had a greater bone tissue structure than groups EP and SRP (p < 0.05) The BuTB showed lower Alveolar Bone Loss (ABL) compared to the TBO-aPDT group at 30 days (p < 0.05). Conclusion: aPDT using the photosensitizer BuTB proved to be the adjuvant therapy that most favored the reduction of inflammatory infiltrate in the furcation area and ABL.

Automated summary

The BuTB-aPDT group showed the least extent of inflammation throughout the experimental periods, with aPDT treated groups exhibiting better bone structure at 15 days. BuTB also demonstrated lower Alveolar Bone Loss compared to the TBO-aPDT group at 30 days.