• CLEAN-BRACKET, orthodontics with fixed braces (Lund, Sweden). Sponsored

Status: Report writing

Research team: Ann-Marie Roos Jansåker, Katja Elses, Vanessa Larsson

Participants: 40

• AthleteOralHealth (cross-over study / Helsinki, Finland)

Research team: Marjosola, Elomaa-Krapu, Pätilä, et al.

Participants: 36

• LumoKaunas2023, periodontitis stage III-IV (Kaunas, Lithuania)

Research team: Pacauskiene, Renata, Sorsa, et al.
Participants: 56

• LumoPrevent, prevention and oral hygiene, adolescents (Tampere, Finland)

Research team: Heikkinen, Sarja et al.
Participants: 97

Home-applied dual-light photodynamic therapy as a supplement to supportive periodontal care

S Pakarinen, H Välimaa, AM Heikkinen, M Noponen, H Alapulli, RKT Saarela, T Tervahartiala, IT Räisänen, T Sorsa, D Sakellari, T Pätilä

https://doi.org/10.1002/jper.70082

In this randomized controlled study, the effect of home treatment with dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was investigated as a supplement to professional supportive periodontal care in patients with stage I–III periodontitis.

200 patients in maintenance care for periodontitis were randomized to either ordinary supportive periodontal care or supportive care combined with daily home treatment with dual-light aPDT. The patients were followed for 6 months, during which gingival bleeding, plaque and the number of gingival pockets of ≥4 mm were measured, among other things.

The results showed that the group using dual-light aPDT as a supplement had significantly less gingival bleeding and plaque after both 3 and 6 months compared with the control group. After 6 months, 51% of the patients in the dual-light group had a bleeding score below 10% compared with 23% in the control group. In addition, the dual-light group had fewer gingival pockets of ≥4 mm at both 3 and 6 months.

The study concludes that regular home treatment with dual-light aPDT can be a promising supplement to existing oral care and supportive periodontal treatment. The results show potential for better control of plaque and inflammation as well as support for stable periodontal health between clinical treatments.

Read the study here.

Plaque control with dual-light photodynamic therapy in healthy adults

L Gusseva, LL Lill, T Pätilä, R Runnel

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/41887496/

In this randomized crossover pilot study, the effect of daily dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was investigated as a supplement to ordinary oral care in healthy adults.

30 healthy adults took part in a six-week study in which, in alternating periods, participants either continued with their ordinary brushing and flossing or supplemented their daily oral care with 10 minutes of dual-light aPDT. Plaque levels were measured at four time points using the Greene-Vermillion index.

The results showed that dual-light aPDT produced a significant reduction in plaque. In the overall analysis, plaque levels were reduced by 21.2% compared with baseline, while ordinary oral care alone did not produce a significant reduction.

The study concludes that daily use of dual-light aPDT as a supplement to brushing and flossing can improve plaque control – even in people who already have good oral hygiene. The treatment can therefore be particularly relevant for people in whom plaque is harder to control, for example with orthodontic appliances, implants or fixed prostheses.

Read the study here.

Dual-light photodynamic therapy as a supplement to the treatment of periodontitis

P Tegelberg, M Ojala, M Ylipalosaari, J Lindroth, AM Heikkinen, H Lähteenmäki, S Pakarinen, IT Räisänen, T Sorsa, T Pätilä

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42117907/

In this randomized controlled multicenter study, the effect of daily home treatment with dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was investigated as a supplement to professional supportive periodontal care in patients with stage I–III periodontitis.

40 patients with periodontitis were randomized to either professional supportive care alone or professional supportive care combined with daily dual-light aPDT. The patients were examined at the start of the study and after 3 and 6 months. The effect was assessed on the basis of gingival bleeding, plaque, gingival pockets and clinical attachment level, among other things.

The treatment group using dual-light aPDT as a supplement showed a greater reduction in gingival bleeding after both 3 and 6 months compared with the control group. In addition, the plaque level was reduced after 6 months, and the number of gingival pockets of ≥4 mm was reduced at both follow-ups. A significant improvement in clinical attachment level was also observed after 3 and 6 months in the treatment group.

The study concludes that regular use of dual-light aPDT as a supplement to professional supportive periodontal care can improve plaque control and reduce gingival inflammation in patients with periodontitis. The results also indicate potential for supporting periodontal treatment through improvements in gingival pockets and clinical attachment level.

Read the study here.

The effect of regular dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy on oral health in older nursing home residents

W Romppanen, J Helenius-Hietala, S Pakarinen, S Korte, R Saarela, AM Heikkinen, T Sorsa, T Pätilä

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/42046318/

In this randomized controlled pilot study, the effect of dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was investigated in older people living in nursing homes. The aim was to compare ordinary oral care guidance with oral care supplemented by regular home treatment with dual-light aPDT.

28 participants aged 51–95 were randomized to either conventional oral care guidance or guidance combined with regular dual-light aPDT. The participants were followed for two months, during which plaque levels, periodontal health and the level of the inflammation marker aMMP-8 were assessed, among other things.

The results showed a significant reduction in dental biofilm in both groups. The group using dual-light aPDT also showed a significant improvement in periodontal health measured by CPITN, which was not observed in the control group. The level of aMMP-8 in mouthrinse was reduced in both groups, and objectively measured dry mouth improved in both groups.

The study concludes that dual-light aPDT can be an effective supplement to conventional oral care in older people in nursing homes and can contribute to improved periodontal health.

Read the study here.

Peri-implant diseases: enhanced antibacterial photodynamic therapy

H Lähteenmäki, T Pätilä, IT Räisänen, E Kankuri, T Tervahartiala, T Sorsa

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/40387388/

In this randomized controlled study, the effect of antibacterial dual-light photodynamic therapy (aPDT) was investigated in patients with peri-implant disease.

40 patients with newly diagnosed peri-implant inflammation were randomized to either home treatment with dual-light aPDT for 4 weeks or improved oral self-care alone. The effect was assessed by clinical measurements of plaque, bleeding and the inflammation marker aMMP-8.

The treatment group showed a marked reduction in gingival bleeding and level of inflammation, while no corresponding improvements were observed in the control group.

The study concludes that regular use of dual-light aPDT effectively reduces inflammation around dental implants and has great potential as a safe and effective home treatment for implant patients.

Read the study here.

The study showed that light-activated Lumoral treatment improves oral hygiene in residents of round-the-clock care homes, as part of normal oral care. The Lumoral group had better oral hygiene and oral moisture (assessed objectively and subjectively).

The research article is currently under peer review.

Plaque study - Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (thesis)

C. Cavalcante-Bitu, P. Halen, S. Lehti / Supervisor: S. Pakarinen

https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/799188 (In Finnish with an English abstract)

A plaque study carried out by dental hygiene students at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences (Helsinki, Finland) showed that it is beneficial for healthy individuals to use Lumoral® twice a week.

The study showed that the reduction in biofilm was significantly greater in the experimental group using Lumoral® than in the control group.

The aim of the study was to examine how effectively the antimicrobial treatment Lumoral® reduces biofilm in the mouth as a supplement to oral hygiene in healthy volunteers aged 18-70.

The largest study of periodontitis in Europe , HOPE-CP, shows that the results of periodontitis treatment improve considerably when daily Lumoral treatment is added to the self-care routine for periodontitis.

In 54% of the subjects in the Lumoral group, the bleeding index for inflammation, BOP, was reduced to a healthy level (BOP less than 10%). In two out of three (67%) patients treated with Lumoral, the number of deep gingival pockets was at least halved compared with baseline. Both results were significantly better than in the control group. The number of deep (over 3 mm) gingival pockets was also reduced significantly more in the Lumoral group, and four subjects in the Lumoral group had no deep gingival pockets at all at the end of the period.

Read the study here.

The final report from the study (n=200) is currently under peer review.

Repeated home-applied dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy can reduce plaque, inflammation and aMMP-8 in peri-implant disease – a pilot study

Hanna Lähteenmäki, Tommi Pätilä, Ismo T Räisänen, Rauni Kalliala, Timo Sorsa

This pilot study investigated the effect of Lumoral® for home use with dual-light antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) in patients with peri-implantitis. Seven patients used the treatment daily for four weeks in addition to their normal oral hygiene.

The results showed:

• Reduced inflammation measured as lower aMMP-8 (p = 0.047)
• Less plaque (VPI, p = 0.03)
• Less bleeding on probing (BOP, p = 0.03)
• Slight improvements in peri-implant pocket depth (PPD, 1 mm, not significant)
  

Conclusion: Regular home-applied dual-light aPDT can reduce bacterial load and inflammation around dental implants. The study recommends further research in larger populations to document long-term effects.

Curr. Issues Mol. Biol.2022, 44(3), 1273-1283; https://doi.org/10.3390/cimb44030085 . Read the study here.

A case report on a 78-year-old man with vascular dementia showed that antibacterial treatment with Lumoral effectively eliminated harmful oral bacteria while also treating advanced gingivitis. The study was published in Dentistry Journal.

The study shows that recovery from severe periodontal disease over the 13-month follow-up period was excellent. Oral hygiene improved markedly and the number of infected periodontal pockets fell considerably. In addition, the clinical attachment level improved. Only one infected periodontal pocket remained, and it can be argued that this was due at least in part to occlusal trauma, the researchers note.

https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/34063662/

This study investigated the effectiveness of indocyanine green (ICG)-assisted antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) activated with LED light against dental plaque. Fifteen healthy adults took part in a four-day randomized trial in which ICG was used as a mouthrinse, followed by 810 nm LED light on the treatment area.

The results showed that aPDT effectively reduced plaque and degradative enzymes in the gums (MMP-8). In addition, plaque bacteria such as Streptococcus, Acinetobacteria, Capnocytophaga and Rothia were reduced. The study concludes that ICG-assisted aPDT has antibacterial, anti-inflammatory and anti-proteolytic effects, which supports the potential of the technique in the prevention and treatment of plaque-related gum problems.

Daily administered dual-light photodynamic therapy provides a sustained antibacterial effect on Staphylococcus aureus

Sakari Nikinmaa, Anna Podonyi, Peter Raivio, Jukka Meurman, Timo Sorsa, Juha Rantala, Esko Kankuri, Tuomas Tauriainen and Tommi Pätilä

https://doi.org/10.3390/antibiotics10101240

There is an urgent need for new means of reducing excessive antibiotic use. This study tested dual-light aPDT against Staphylococcus aureus biofilm with different relative ratios of light energy and indocyanine green.

Results: Dual-light aPDT improves the bactericidal effect on Staphylococcus aureus biofilm compared with aPDT or aBL alone and provides a sustained effect. An increase in the relative proportion of aBL strengthens the antibacterial effect, primarily when the treatment is applied repeatedly. The energy ratio of the light components is therefore decisive in dual-light.

[ About Staphylococcus aureus: also known as golden staph, it is a bacterium normally found on the skin and mucous membranes, including in the mouth, in many people without causing disease. Under certain circumstances, however, it can become the cause of infections.]

Daily dual-light photodynamic therapy provides a sustained antibacterial effect on biofilm and prevents adaptation of Streptococcus mutans.

Nikinmaa S, Alapulli H, Auvinen P, Vaara M, Rantala J, Kankuri E, et al. (2020) PLOS ONE 15(5): e0232775.

https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232775

In this study we tested the susceptibility of Streptococcus mutans (S. mutans) biofilm to
either aPDT, aBL or their combination as dual-light aPDT (simultaneous aPDT and aBL)
exposure.

In conclusion, an aBL or aPDT based on a single wavelength leads to significant biofilm adaptation and increased viability of S. mutans when aPDT is administered repeatedly to S. mutans biofilm. The combined use of aBL light synchronously with aPDT halts the adaptation and provides a significantly improved and sustained antibacterial effect.

[Lumoral uses 2 light waves simultaneously, and the article shows that using the two together has a considerably greater effect on the bacterial species associated with "cavities" than either does on its own]

[About Streptococcus mutans: a bacterial species known primarily for its role in the development of dental caries (cavities). It forms a thick biofilm on the tooth surface and produces acids that break down tooth enamel. The biofilm protects the bacteria from the body's immune defences and makes the plaque difficult to remove by brushing. ]

Result: BOP% fell significantly in the Lumoral® group in several studies. *1, *2, *3, *4, *9

• p-values: 0.031, 0.00142, 0.00013, 0.00014, <0.0001 (non-smokers).

Visible Plaque Index (VPI%): significantly reduced in several studies.² ⁴ ⁹ ¹⁰ ¹²

• p-values: 0.031; 0.00452; 0.044; 0.00395; 0.019

Rustogi Modified Plaque Index (RMPI): significant reduction.¹⁰

• p-value: 0.0026

Greene-Vermilion Plaque Index (GVPI): significant reduction.⁶

• p-value: <0.000110

Probing Pocket Depth (PPD): significant reduction in three studies.² ⁴ ⁹

• p-values: 0.04982; 0.00434; 0.019

Periodontal Epithelial Surface Area (PESA): significant reduction in two studies.² ⁴

• p-values: 0.0342; 0.0094

Probing Pocket Depth (PPD): significant reduction in three studies.² ⁴ ⁹

• p-values: 0.04982; 0.00434; 0.019

Periodontal Epithelial Surface Area (PESA): significant reduction in two studies.² ⁴

• p-values: 0.0342; 0.0094

Results: significant reduction in two studies (final report under peer review).⁴

• p-values: 0.00162; 0.0344

Results: a significant change was observed in the CPI measurements.⁹

• p-value: 0.00065

Results: significant change in two studies.¹ ²

• p-values: 0.00471; 0.02683

• Dry mouth was reduced both subjectively and in objective measurements.⁵

• Using the Lumoral® device improves oral hygiene (subjective and objective evaluation).¹ ² ⁷ ⁸ ¹⁰

• Use is experienced as simple and trouble-free.⁷

• Long-term use (over a year) has reduced caries, plaque and calculus formation.⁷

1. Lähteenmäki H, Pätilä T, Räisänen IT, Kankuri E, Tervahartiala T, Sorsa T. (2022). Repeated Home-Applied Dual-Light Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy Can Reduce Plaque Burden, Inflammation, and aMMP-8 in Peri-Implant Disease—A Pilot Study. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8947626/

2. Pakarinen S, Saarela R, Välimaa H-M, Heikkinen AM, Kankuri E, Noponen M, Alapulli H, Tervahartiala T, Räisänen IT, Sorsa T, Pätilä T. (2022). A Randomized Trial of Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in Stable Chronic Periodontitis (HOPE-CP) – Interim Analysis of Half Cohort Results. https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9689653/

3. Lähteenmäki H, Pätilä T, Räisänen IT, Kalliala R, Sorsa T. (2025). Peri-Implant Diseases: Enhanced Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy. https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cre2.70146

4. Tegelberg P, Ojala M, Ylipalosaari M, Lindroth J, Heikkinen AM, Lähteenmäki H, Pakarinen S, Räisänen IT, Sorsa T, Pätilä T. (2025). A Multicenter, Controlled, Randomized Trial of Home-Applied Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in Chronic Periodontitis. Preprint: https://www.medrxiv.org/content/10.1101/2025.03.25.25324596v1

5. Romppanen W, Helenius-Hietala J, Korte S, Pakarinen S, Saarela R, Heikkinen AM, Sorsa T, Pätilä T. (2025). Dual-Light Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy: Oral Health Improvements in Assisted Living Facilities Study Design (Article in Press)

6. Cavalcante-Bitu C, Halen P, Lehti S, Pakarinen S, Pätilä T. (2025). Regularly Home-applied Dual-light Photodynamic Therapy on Dental Hygiene- a Prospective Randomized Study in Healthy Adults. (Full study article manuscript TBD, Thesis available in Finnish: https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/799188

7. Niva E, Kulmala H, Vakkuri S, Keinänen A-L, Korteniemi A. (2024). Thesis. Comfort of using the Lumoral device and feeling of oral cleanliness in healthy adults. https://www.theseus.fi/handle/10024/870703

8. Haukka H, Kinnunen S, Pakarinen S. (2024). Thesis. The benefits of the Lumoral Treatment -device for oral self-care habits. https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2024112630435

9. Sundberg E, Kylmänen M, Eerikäinen H, Pätilä T, Sivén M. (2024) Thesis. The effect of home-use antibacterial photodynamic treatment on clinical oral parameters of patients with grade II or higher periodontitis – Evaluating an innovative medical device. https://helda.helsinki.fi/items/e9f93e98-1387-4c33-ba12-54f73526b6ae

10. Gusseva L, Lill L, Runnel R, Pätilä T. (2025) Thesis. Regular Home-Use of Dual-Light Photodynamic Therapy in Oral Plaque Control in Healthy Adults-A Randomized Cross-Over Study. https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0264/6291/2621/files/Tarto_hygiene_study_thesis_En_22May2025.pdf?v=1748262952

11. Nikinmaa S, Alapulli H, Auvinen P, Vaara M, Rantala J, et al. (2020) Dual-light photodynamic therapy administered daily provides a sustained antibacterial effect on biofilm and prevents Streptococcus mutans adaptation. PLOS ONE 15(5): e0232775. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0232775

12.Nikinmaa S, Moilanen N, Sorsa T, Rantala J, Alapulli H, Kotiranta A, Auvinen P, Kankuri E, Meurman JH, Pätilä T. Indocyanine Green-Assisted and LED-Light-Activated Antibacterial Photodynamic Therapy Reduces Dental Plaque. Dentistry Journal. 2021; 9(5):52. https://doi.org/10.3390/dj9050052

Status: report being written

Research team: Ann-Marie Roos Jansåker, Katja Elses, Vanessa Larsson

Participants: 40

Status: ongoing

Research team: Anna Maria Heikkinen, Kati Ylä-Tuuhonen, Katja Rauhala, Timo Sorsa, Jaana Hagström, Ulla Kotiranta, Taina Tervahartiala, Esko Kankuri.

Participants: 60 (recruitment closed)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Ingrida Pacauskiene, Nomeda Basevičienė, Vita Mačiulskienė, Raimonda Guntulytė, Alma Pranckevičienė, Timo Sorsa, Ismo Räisänen, Petri Auvinen

Participants: 60 (follow-up in progress)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Nilminie Rathnayake, Timo Sorsa, Akke Kumlien, Monika Kala, Tommi Pätilä

Participants: 80 (follow-up in progress)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Harri Niskanen, Timo Sorsa, Katja Gustafsson, Karim Abdalla, Pekka Kallio

Participants: 40 (actively recruiting)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Anna Maria Heikkinen, Patrick Saikkonen, Laura Mealonen, Miia Ehrnrooth, Timo Sorsa, Atte Vadén, Andreas Pfuetzner, Marko Helenius, Pirkko Pussinen, Timo Kauppila

Participants: 150 (actively recruiting)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Paolo Giacomo Arduino, Elio Berutti, Giuseppe Garlo Iorio, Umberto Ricardi, Gugliemo Ramieri, Paolo Garzino Demo, Tommaso Mairano, Alessio Gambino, Giorgia El Haddad

Participants: 60 (actively recruiting)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Prof. Alberto De Biase, Prof. Anna Scotto d'Abusco, Dr. Marco Lollobrigida, Dr. Giulia Mazzucchi, Dr. Alessia Mariano

Participants: 30 (actively recruiting)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Vanessa Faber, Professor Werner Birglechner

Participants: 52 (actively recruiting)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Hellevi Ruokonen, Karita Nylund, Nina-Li Avellan, Patricia Stoor, Kirsten Besuch, Viivi Mattila

Participants: 80 (follow-up in progress)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Elisa Ronkainen, Juho Suojanen, Timo Sorsa, Junnu Leikola, Arja Heliövaara, Taina Tervahartiala

Participants: 15 (data analysis in progress)

Status: ongoing

Research team: Dimitra Sakellari, Chrysoula Vakaki, Veta Doufexi, Timo Sorsa, Ismo Räisänen, Tommi Pätilä

Participants: 60 (data analysis in progress)

Status: ongoing

A collaboration with the Finnish Sjögren’s Syndrome Association

Research team: Saila Pakarinen, Milla Koivuluoma, Sini Laaksonen, Tommi Pätilä

Participants: 7 (data analysis in progress)