Combined application of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers in treatment of chronic periodontitis. A split-mouth, single-blind, randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of combined ErYAG and NdYAG laser therapy to that of scaling and root planing with hand instruments in non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Twenty-five systemically healthy patients with chronic periodontitis were selected for this study. The quadrants were randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to either combined ErYAG (160 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz) and NdYAG laser (100 mJ/pulse, 20 Hz) therapy (test group) or scaling and root planing alone (control group). At baseline, 1 month and 3 months after treatment, plaque index, gingival index, probing depth, clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing (%), were recorded and gingival crevicular fluid and subgingival plaque samples were taken. The gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin-1ß and tumor necrosis factor-α were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Quantitative analysis of red complex bacteria was performed using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: The clinical parameters had significantly improved for both groups after treatment. There were statistically significant differences in probing depth and clinical attachment level between the test and control groups only for deep pockets (≥7 mm) (P<.05). No significant differences between the two groups were observed for the biochemical and microbiological parameters at any time points (P>.05). CONCLUSIONS: The present study suggests that a combined course of ErYAG and NdYAG laser therapy may be beneficial particularly in inaccessible areas such as deep pockets on a short-term basis. Further, well-designed studies are required to assess the effectiveness of the combination of these lasers.