Photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral mucosal hyperkeratoses: A literature review
Keywords:
hyperkeratosis, laser, photosensitizer, photodynamic therapy (PDT), oral lichen planus (OLP)Abstract
Relevance: In therapeutic dentistry, oral mucosal diseases considered one of the most difficult areas. Many diseases, including lichen planus (LP), are characterized by a disorder of the keratinization process (hyperkeratosis). OLP is a chronic inflammatory disease of the skin and mucous membranes, characterized by a persistent long course. OLP has various clinical forms, but forms such as erosive-ulcerative and bullous tend to transform into cancer. Although there are currently a large number of treatment options for LP, none of them are completely successful. At the same time, one of the promising treatment methods, which is based on the use of a photosensitizer and light of a certain wavelength, is photodynamic therapy (PDT). The advantages of PDT are low toxicity for normal cells, selectivity of action, and lack of invasiveness. Currently, there are no clear schemes for the use of PDT depending on the nosological form, which determines the relevance of our study.
The study aimed to increase the effectiveness of the treatment of oral hyperkeratoses using photodynamic therapy.
Methods: An analysis of publications over the past 10 years was carried out in the eLibrary, Pubmed, Google Scholar, CyberLeninka, and Scopus databases using keywords ‘photodynamic therapy’, ‘hyperkeratosis’, ‘oral lichen planus’, ‘laser’, ‘photosensitizer’. The results of both experimental and clinical laboratory studies are included. The review includes 48 sources that present the experience and application of PDT in dental practice based on the results of these studies.
Results: Analysis of the world literature made it possible to consider extensively the issue of treating hyperkeratoses of the oral mucosa using PDT. The development and implementation of third-generation photosensitizers obtained by binding to other molecules, including nanoparticles and liposomes, is very promising, thereby increasing the effectiveness of treatment of neoplasms.
Conclusion: Thus, PDT shows great potential as a treatment method and can be considered as an important tool in the treatment of oral diseases, both as a primary treatment method and as an adjunctive method.
