Abstract
Introduction: In dental medicine, photodynamic therapy is a promising treatment for bacterial infections. Oral biofilms, on the other hand, can produce an extracellular matrix that provides protection and stability against external forces.
Materials and methods: In this pilot study, we investigate the relationship between a prototype extracellular matrix and the efficacy of photodynamic therapy with three different photosensitizers. To assess the efficacy of the photodynamic therapy, we use culture analysis of the colony-forming units (CFU) and diffusion kinetics microscopy using fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP).
Results: Our results show evidence of decreased efficacy of the photodynamic process in the presence of extracellular matrix, as observed in experimental culture models and in direct FRAP observation. Additionally, the mathematically modeled diffusion coefficients of the used photosensitizers suggest low diffusion of these molecules in the prototype extracellular matrix.
Conclusions: The presence of an extracellular matrix in oral biofilms may reduce the efficacy of photodynamic therapy in dentistry. These findings highlight the need for further investigation into the development of photosensitizers with better diffusion properties in extracellular matrix. Overall, this study provides valuable insights into the potential limitations of photodynamic therapy in dental medicine.