State-of-the-art of topical Photodynamic Therapy in oral benign, malignant and potentially malignant disorders: a scoping review

Abstract

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) is a non-invasive tool based on the use of a photosensitizer (PS) and a light source that can activate the PS and lead to the production of Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS). It is currently used in different fields of medicine such as gynecology, dermatology, oncology, and dentistry. In dental practice, the main branches involved are periodontology, oral pathology, orthodontics, and endodontics. PDT finds its spot against antibiotic and antimycotic resistance. Oral pathology is involved in the treatment of several oral diseases such as Oral Carcinoma, Oral Lichen Planus, Oral Candidiasis, Oral Leukoplakia, and Actinic Cheilitis. Because of its non-invasiveness, PDT has already found a place in oral pathologists’ daily practice. In this study, we aimed to analyze the main papers published regarding PDT and oral pathology or oral medicine to give a detailed picture of the state-of-the-art and to detect its possible role in the next years.