The effect of photobiomodulation on oral microbiota dysbiosis: A literature review

Abstract

The balance, or dysbiosis, of the microbial community is crucial for human health and disease. While most microbes are harmless, some can lead to oral infections such as periodontal disease, dental caries, and infections related to Candida biofilms. Conventional treatments, such as mechanical debridement, antibiotics, probiotics, and prebiotics, aim to restore the balance of oral microbiota, but they encounter challenges like microbial resistance and patient compliance issues. To address these problems, laser therapy has emerged as a promising local treatment option. Among the various types of lasers, low-power lasers—specifically low-level laser therapy or photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy—are particularly favored for oral applications due to their antimicrobial effects and non-invasive properties. PBM influences oral microbiota dysbiosis through both direct and indirect pathways. The direct effect occurs when endogenous targets are remained within the cell or released into the colony. In contrast, an indirect effect can result from targets located in the tissues and cells surrounding the bacteria. However, studies using different irradiation protocols have produced varied results. Therefore, this study aims to investigate and review the effects of PBM on oral microbiota dysbiosis and its potential in promoting the maintenance of human health.