Bibliometric analysis on research trends for contribution of photodynamic therapy in periodontitis.

BACKGROUND: The objective of this bibliometric analysis was to ascertain the research trend regarding the application of photodynamic therapy as a treatment modality for periodontal disease. METHODS: An online search was administered using the Scopus database to retrieve all the relevant research literature published from 2003 till 26th Dec 2022. After applying the inclusion criteria articles pertinent to the topic were manually selected. Data was saved as CSV. Data was read using VOSviewer software and further analysis was performed using Microsoft excel. RESULTS: From a total of 545 articles, 117 scientific papers relevant to the field were evaluated. The keen interest of researchers was identified by an increase in the number of publications over the course of time, with the highest citations n = 827 attained during the year 2009. Brazil, India, and USA made significant contribution by publishing highest number of papers. Organizations from the USA produced the highest publications which attained high citations. Author Sculean A. published the highest number of papers. Journal of periodontology was the leading journal, by publishing highest number of papers (n = 15), followed by Journal of Clinical Periodontology. CONCLUSION: This bibliometric analysis provided detailed information regarding the total number of publications from 2003 to 2022 and the number of citations attained. Brazil has been identified as the leading country, whilst all the leading organizations which contributed significantly, were from USA. The Journal of Periodontology published the highest number of papers which had been highly cited. Sculean A, affiliated with University of Bern, Switzerland published the highest number of papers.

Clinical efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid-mediated photodynamic therapy versus topical antifungal agent and surgical excision for the treatment of hyperplastic candidiasis.

BACKGROUND: Hyperplastic candidiasis (HC) is a chronic infection of oral mucosa caused by Candida. Owing to its potential for malignant transformation, its intervention requires attention. Conventional surgical resection might lead to irreversible damage and impact the patient's quality of life. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of 5-aminolevulinic acid (5-ALA)-mediated photodynamic therapy (PDT) alone and in combination with topical antifungal therapy (i.e., nystatin [combination therapy]) in comparison with nystatin and surgical resection for the treatment of HC. METHODS: Forty subjects with clinical and histopathological diagnoses of HC were included in the study. Four study groups, with 10 participants each, were formed as follows: Group-I - receiving antifungal agent [nystatin]; Group-II - receiving surgical resection; Group-III - receiving PDT; and Group-IV - receiving 5-ALA-mediated PDT and nystatin [combination therapy]. Salivary and mucosal samples were collected for the quantification of Candida albicans and the treatment responses to different interventions were recorded at week-4, week-6, and week-8 after finishing therapies. RESULTS: At the 3rd follow-up (i.e., at end of the 8th week after the interventions), complete improvement in 3 (30%), 2 (20%), 1 (10%), and 5 (50%) patients in group-I, group-II, group-III, and group-IV, respectively was observed. A statistically significant difference was obtained when the intervention responses were compared at week-4 (p<0.01), week-6 (p<0.01), and week-8 (p<0.0001) follow-ups in group-I, group-II, and group-IV subjects. At the 8-week follow-up regarding the salivary and mucosal samples, the lowest colony-forming units/milliliter score of C. albicans was observed in group-IV subjects. CONCLUSION: The application of 5-ALA-mediated PDT in combination with nystatin gel possesses the potential as a well-tolerated and safe therapeutic modality for the treatment of patients with HC.