Periodontitis isnt just sore gums; it hits nearly half of adults worldwide, upping the odds of diabetes, heart disease and more. According to the World Health Organization, over 1Â billion people suffer from severe forms of the disease.
Standard treatments like scaling and root planing can feel uncomfortable and still miss bacteria hiding in deep periodontal pockets and complex furcation areas, where biofilm forms fortress-like barriers.
Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) offers a fresh approach: a light-activated photosensitizer latches onto bacteria and, when illuminated, produces reactive oxygen species that destroy pathogens without harming healthy tissue or breeding resistance.
The catch? Delivering and keeping these photosensitizers deep in the moist, convoluted terrain of periodontal pockets has limited aPDTs effectiveness—until nanotechnology stepped in.
By packaging photosensitizers into nanocarriers, researchers in the Chinese mainland have recently boosted penetration, enhanced retention and sharpened precision against biofilm. Early clinical trials show promising reductions in pocket depth and inflammation, with minimal discomfort.
Combining light and nanotech brings teeth cleaning into high precision, says Doctor Wang Dongqing, chief physician at Beijing Stomatological Hospital affiliated with Capital Medical University in the Chinese mainland. This fusion could revolutionize periodontal care and improve overall health.
With larger studies set to launch this year, this blend of ancient phototherapy and cutting-edge nanotechnology may soon power the next generation of dental treatments around the globe.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
