RESUMEN
The objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical and biochemical efficacy of erbium, chromium:ytrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser treatment, in addition to non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT), in periodontitis patients. This was a single-centre, split-mouth, randomized, controlled 6-month clinical trial. Twenty-seven patients with moderate to advanced periodontitis were included in the study. The patients were randomly assigned to a debridement and laser treatment group or control group (debridement alone). Clinical measurements were performed at baseline and 1, 3 and 6 months post-treatment. The following parameters were measured: plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BoP), gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume and IL-1ß and MMP-8 levels in GCF. There were statistically significant clinical improvements in both groups, with no significant between-group differences in PD, CAL, PI and BoP clinical measurements (p < 0.05). As compared with the control group, the GI 1 and 3 months post-treatment and BoP 1 month post-treatment were significantly improved in the laser group (p < 0.05). There was also a significant reduction in IL-1 ß levels in both groups at baseline versus those 1, 3 and 6 months later (p < 0.05) There was no statistically significant difference in IL-1ß and MMP-8 levels between groups (p < 0.05). Both the treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in clinical parameters. Within the limitations of this study, Er,Cr:YSGG laser treatment applied in addition to NSPT is indicated to reduce clinical inflammation.