Photodynamic therapy: prospects and application in the prevention of dental diseases (a review)

Photodynamic therapy is a rapidly developing non-invasive treatment method that holds significant promise in dental practice. This review article discusses the principles of action of photodynamic therapy, as well as the possibilities of its application in the prevention of dental diseases such as caries, periodontitis, peri-implantitis and oral tumors. The unique advantages of photodynamic therapy, such as selectivity of action, a broad spectrum of antimicrobial effects, the absence of resistance development and its synergistic effect with other treatment methods, are emphasized. However, challenges such as delivery of the photosensitizer, the penetration of light into deeper tissues, oxygen availability and the need for standardization of protocols are also recognized. The integration of advanced technologies such as nanotechnology and synthetic biology into photodynamic therapy may provide a solution to some of the current limitations of the method and further improve the effectiveness of photodynamic therapy in the prevention of dental diseases.