A short-term evaluation of Nd:YAG laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontal inflammation.

BACKGROUND

This split-mouth, single-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial compares the short-term outcomes of a combined treatment with scaling and root planing (SRP) and neodymium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Nd:YAG)-laser irradiation with treatment with SRP alone.

METHODS

Thirty patients were recruited. The mandibular left or right side was randomly assigned as the test side (SRP with laser treatment) or control side (SRP alone). The water-cooled Nd:YAG laser was used at 4 W, 80 mJ/pulse, 50 Hz, and with a pulse width of 350 micros. At baseline, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken from the test and control sides, and levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and interleukin (IL)-1beta, -4, -6, and -8 were measured using standard techniques. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD) were measured by calibrated examiners.

RESULTS

At the 1-week follow-up, PD (P <0.001), PI (P <0.05), and GCF volume (P <0.001) showed significant improvement on test sides compared to control sides. At the 3-month follow-up, PD (P <0.01), PI (P <0.01), GI (P <0.01), and GCF volume (P <0.05) also showed significant improvement on test sides compared to control sides. At the 1-week follow up, IL-1beta and MMP-8 levels were significantly reduced on test sides compared to control sides. The 3-month follow-up confirmed that the improvements on test sites had been sustained compared to the treatment outcomes of control sites.

CONCLUSION

In the short-term, SRP in combination with a single application of a water-cooled Nd:YAG laser significantly improves clinical signs associated with periodontal inflammation compared to treatment with SRP alone.