Comparison of photobiomodulation and photodynamic therapy as adjuncts to mechanical debridement for the treatment of peri-implantitis.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) as adjuncts to mechanical debridement (MD) for the treatment of peri-implantitis. The present study is based on the null hypothesis that there is no difference in the peri-implant inflammatory parameters (modified plaque index [mPI], modified gingival index [mGI], probing depth [PD]) and crestal bone loss (CBL) following MD either with PBMT or PDT in patients with peri-implantitis. METHODS Forty-nine patients with peri-implantitis were randomly categorized into three groups. In Groups 1 and 2, patients underwent MD with adjunct PBMT and PDT, respectively. In Group 3, patients underwent MD alone (controls). Peri-implant inflammatory parameters were measured at baseline and 3-months follow-up. P-values < 0.01 were considered statistically significant. RESULTS At baseline, peri-implant clinicoradiographic parameters were comparable in all groups. Compared with baseline, there was a significant reduction in mPI (P< 0.001), mGI (P< 0.001) and PD (P< 0.001) in Groups 1 and 2 at 3-months follow-up. In Group 3, there was no difference in the scores of mPI, mGI and PD at follow-up. At 3-months follow-up, there was no difference in mPI, mGI and PD among patients in Groups 1 and 2. The mPI (P< 0.001), mGI (P< 0.001) and PD (P< 0.001) were significantly higher in Group 3 than Groups 1 and 2. The CBL was comparable in all groups at follow-up. CONCLUSION PBMT and PDT seem to be useful adjuncts to MD for the treatment of peri-implant soft-tissue inflammation among patients with peri-implantitis.