Dual-light therapy improves gum disease outcomes in study

HELSINKI, Finland (March 19, 2026) – A dual-light antibacterial therapy has shown significant improvements in treating periodontitis, or gum disease, when used with standard dental care, according to a new randomized clinical trial conducted in Finland. Gum disease affects upwards of a billion individuals globally and often leads to tooth loss.

The six-month study, conducted at Metropolia University of Applied Sciences between 2022 and 2025 and published in the Journal of Periodontology, evaluated the efficacy of the Lumoral device in 200 patients undergoing supportive periodontal care. The research, which is Europe's largest randomized controlled trial on supportive periodontal care, found that patients using Lumoral daily achieved significantly better clinical outcomes compared to a control group receiving standard care alone.

After six months, approximately 51% of patients using Lumoral achieved a Bleeding on Probing Index (BOP) below 10%, a key marker for gum inflammation. This was more than double the success rate of the control group, where only 23% reached the same level. The study also observed reduced dental plaque formation and fewer deep periodontal pockets, which are associated with disease progression and tooth loss.

The Lumoral technology was originally developed by Finnish heart surgeon Tommi Pätilä, who investigated new approaches to controlling bacterial biofilms due to his interest in the link between chronic infections and systemic diseases. The device combines antibacterial photodynamic therapy (aPDT) with blue light (aBL) to activate the Lumorinse mouth rinse, eliminating harmful oral bacteria. Further clinical studies are currently in progress and expected later in the year.