Important information about periodontal treatment
Periodontitis is a common but serious disease that causes inflammation and tissue damage in the gums and supporting tissues around the teeth. More severe cases carry significant risks, including tooth loss and the risk of the infection spreading to other parts of the body.3
The antibacterial action of the Lumoral device, developed in Finland, offers a new way to treat and prevent gingivitis, including more severe periodontal disease, especially when used as an adjunct to regular brushing and flossing.2
“Lumoral’s previous study, HOPE-CP, showed that light-activated therapy is an effective adjunctive therapy for the management of early stages of periodontitis. The LumoKaunas2023 study deepens this knowledge and provides insight into whether the device could also benefit patients with more advanced diseases,” says Kylmänen.
The three-month results of the HOPE-CP trial showed that eliminating the bacteria contained in dental plaque with antibacterial treatment should be as vital a part of dental hygiene as brushing and flossing. The research, which is the largest periodontitis study in Europe, is currently being conducted at the Metropolia University of Applied Sciences in Helsinki, Finland.2
Study results show that 54% (N=59) of participants who used the Lumoral device healed from gingivitis based on the BOP (bleeding on probing) score—2.5 times more than the control group who did not use the device. It is important to note that only 22% of participants in the control group had healthy gums after three months. Participants who used Lumoral had significantly less plaque build-up, while the control group still had the same amount of plaque remaining.2
Meanwhile, the research also shows that two out of three (67%) participants who used the device were able to reduce the number of deep gum pockets by half compared to the initial situation. Four participants were able to completely eliminate deep gum pockets. The results are significantly better than those of the control group participants.2
“Our hypothesis was correct: because 95% of dental diseases are caused by bacteria in plaque, regular plaque removal improves dental hygiene and prevents and treats dental disease and scarring. The results are excellent and prove that using Lumoral to treat gingivitis makes the treatment much more effective than before,” explains cardiac and transplant surgeon Tommi Pätilä, one of the creators of Lumoral.
Future perspectives for the treatment of chronic periodontitis
The LumoKaunas2023 study highlights an international effort to investigate the effectiveness of a new device in the management of chronic periodontitis. The Lithuanian study team has made promising strides and is on track to meet recruitment targets, ensuring the study will be completed in early autumn 2025.
“We look forward to more evidence of how the Lumoral device can improve the outcomes of periodontitis treatment, particularly in severe cases,” says Kylmänen, sparking intrigue and anticipation for the future of periodontitis treatment.
The treatment of periodontal disease is evolving, and the Lumoral device is an exciting adjunct to traditional approaches, offering substantial benefits for various patient groups, including those with advanced gingivitis. The LumoKaunas2023 study marks an essential step towards more effective treatments that support oral health and mitigate the effects of periodontal disease. The benefits of Lumoral for patients with advanced gingivitis include improved oral hygiene, reduced risk of infection and more effective treatment outcomes.
Periodontitis is often asymptomatic for a long time. Unfortunately, dentists say pain is often the first motivation for treatment.3
“We want to permanently improve dental hygiene at home. Previously, advanced gingivitis was only treated at the dentist, where waiting lists were long and treatment could be expensive. Antibacterial treatment combined with appropriate treatment by professionals reduces the number of mouth infections. Without proper care at home, the treatment given by oral health professionals is not as effective as they wish, so using Lumoral is also beneficial for them,” concludes Pätilä.2-5
Editor’s note: This article first appeared on Clinical Insights newsletter, a publication of Endeavor Business Media Dental Group. Read more articles and contribute.
References
- Routine home use of dual light photodynamic therapy in the management of chronic periodontitis. TrialScreen. February 8, 2022. Updated February 2, 2024.
- Pakarinen S, Saarela RKT, Välimaa H, et al. Home-applied double-light photodynamic therapy in the treatment of stable chronic periodontitis (HOPE-CP) — three-month interim results. Dent J (Basel). 2022? 10 (11): 206. doi:10.3390/dj10110206
- Overview: Gingivitis and periodontitis. InformedHealth.org [Internet]. Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Healthcare (IQWiG); 2006. [Updated 2023 Aug 23].
- Lähteenmäki H, Pätilä T, Räisänen IT, Kankuri E, Tervahartiala T, Sorsa T. Repeated home-applied double-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy can reduce plaque burden, inflammation and ammp-8 in peri-implant disease – a pilot study . Curr Issues Mol Biol. 2022;44(3):1273-1283. doi: 10.3390/cimb44030085
- Trujiilo K, Räisänen IT, Sorsa T, Pätilä T. Repeated daily use of dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy in periodontal disease—case report. Dent J (Basel). 2022? 10(9):163. doi:10.3390/dj10090163
