The goal is to gather more information on orthodontic traction of impacted canines in the arch or their extraction.

We focused our search on English-language papers published between January 1, 2004, and July 24, 2024 in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science that were relevant to our topic. The search strategy employed the Boolean terms "impacted" AND "canine". In addition to the overview, this article discusses a number of clinical instances involving canine disinclusion.

The study analyzed 2748 papers from databases like Web of Science, PubMed, and Scopus, resulting in 1455 articles after eliminating duplicates. After examining titles and abstracts, 897 entries were removed. The remaining 558 papers were confirmed, with 543 items removed due to being off-topic. The study includes a qualitative analysis of the 15 final articles.

This article concludes that both extraction and orthodontic traction are effective treatments for impacted canines, with the choice depending on patient-specific factors. Advances in surgical techniques and imaging technologies have improved outcomes, while a multidisciplinary, patient-centered approach remains essential. Future research should focus on refining treatment selection criteria and integrating genetic and technological advancements.

Photodynamic therapy (PDT) can take place in the presence of three elements: Light with an appropriate wavelength; a photosensitizer; and the presence of oxygen. This type of treatment is very effective overall against bacterial, viral and mycotic cells. In the last 10 years many papers have been published on PDT with different types of photosensitizers (e.g., methylene blue, toluidine blue, indocyanine green, curcumin-based photosensitizers), different wavelengths (e.g., 460 nm, 630 nm, 660 nm, 810 nm) and various parameters (e.g., power of the light, time of illumination, number of sessions). In the scientific literature all types of PDT seem very effective, even if it is difficult to find a standard protocol for each oral pathology. PDT could be an interesting way to treat some dangerous oral infections refractory to common pharmacological therapies, such as candidiasis from multidrug-resistant Candida spp.

Drug-induced gingival overgrowth is associated with the intake of three classes of drugs: anticonvulsants, immunosuppressants, and calcium channel blockers. It is clinically characterized by hyperplasia of the gingival connective tissue which appears edematous, bloody, and purplish-red in color. In more severe cases, drug-induced gingival hyperplasia negatively affects the patient's quality of life, making it difficult to eat and practice good oral hygiene. Drug-induced gingival overgrowth therapy is controversial and, in fact, no studies in the literature highlight a well-defined therapeutic protocol. The therapies that are described provide primarily for non-surgical periodontal treatment and second-line surgical treatment. The aim of this work is to highlight a case of drug-induced gingival hyperplasia which was completely resolved thanks to photodynamic therapy which is completely free from side effects.

Photodynamic therapy was performed on an 18 year-old female patient with LEDs at a power of 450-470 nm and 5500 mW/cm2 + 7500 mW/cm2, combined with a Curcuma longa-based photosensitizer. A single session was performed, with applications of approximately 30 s for each interdental papilla.

The patient improved markedly after only one cycle of PDT. There was an absence of clinically detectable inflammation, edema, and rubor of the involved dental papillae. At the 4, 6, and 12 week follow-ups there were no recurrences.

This case report highlights the first case of drug-induced gingival hypertrophy entirely treated with photodynamic therapy to be described in the literature. Therefore, although it is only a case report, this therapy which is free from side effects should be investigated as an alternative to current therapies.