Background and objective: To evaluate the effects of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with chloro-aluminum phthalocyanine (AlClFc) adjuvant to scaling and root planing (SRP) on periodontal clinical parameters of patients with chronic periodontitis. Materials and methods: Fifty-four periodontal sites were randomly distributed into two groups: 27 in the test group (SRP+aPDT)-using a low-power laser application Photon Lase III (DMC Equipamentos Ltda, São Carlos, São Paulo, Brazil) with operational parameters of 660 nm and 100 mW for 15 sec, and 27 in the control group (SRP). SRP was performed in a single session and the periodontal clinical parameters such as visible plaque index, bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), and clinical attachment level were assessed at the baseline (T0) and 3 months after aPDT (T3). Results: Regarding BOP, a decrease in both treatment groups, the test group (p = 0.003) and control group (p = 0.001), was reported between T0 and T3. A reduction in PD and clinical insertion gain for both treatment groups (p < 0.05) after 3 months of therapy was observed, although nonsignificant (p > 0.05) in intergroup comparison. Conclusions: aPDT with AlClFc adjuvant to SRP did not provide additional benefits in reducing PD and clinical insertion gain.
Keywords: dental scaling; periodontal pockets; periodontitis; photodynamic therapy; treatment results.