Pericoronitis treatment with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy using a new formula of methylene blue: A case report

Pericoronitis is a common disease that impacts the quality of life of individuals during the eruption of the third molars. Among the main clinical signs and symptoms reported were the presence of gingival operculum, pain, difficulty swallowing, and trismus with functional impairment. The present study shows a case report of pericoronitis treated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (aPDT), using a new oral formulation (INPI BR 1020170253902) of methylene blue. A female patient, 27 years old, presenting initial pericoronitis, had her pain, mouth opening, and swelling evaluated. She was submitted to a protocol of irrigation with sterile saline and photodynamic therapy using the new MB at 0.005% concentration and irradiation with low-intensity laser lambda = 660 nm, 9 J per point, and radiant exposure of 318 J/cm2. The variables were evaluated on 4th day after aPDT. There was a 100% improvement in pain and an increase of 1,3 cm in mouth opening. There was no difference in the edema before and after aPDT using the new MB formula. Although the results are based on a single case report, suggest the hypothesis that aPDT using the new MB formula is an efficient therapy in the treatment of pain and trismus caused by the early stage of pericoronitis. Well-conducted randomized clinical trials are needed to compare this new formulation with conventional aPDT for further generalization of results.