A clinical and biochemical evaluation of a 980 nm low-level diode laser therapy as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal therapy

While lasers have been used in dentistry since 1980s, low-level laser therapy (also known as laser bio-stimulation) has been utilized less frequently in periodontology. The aim of this split-mouth, single blinded controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) (diode laser 980 nm) as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT). Twenty-five systemically healty patients with probing pocket depth (PPD) ≥ 5 mm involving at least 2 premolar teeth in two split quadrant were included. Bleeding on probing (BOP), gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI) clinical attachment level (CAL) and PPD were recorded at baseline and at 1, 3 and 6 month. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken at baseline and, 1 week and 1 month after the treatment. One week after the clinical examination all teeth were scaled and root planned. After the non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT)., the test side selected randomly and treated with low laser (LLLT) four times (0th, 1st, 3rd and 7th days). Energy density was adjusted 7,64 J/cm2. In statistical analysis Wilcoxon tests were used within the groups while Mann Whitney U tests were used between the groups. Both treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in clinical and biochemical parameters. There were statistically significant differences in PPD scores between test (LLLT+NSPT) and control (NSPT) (P<0.005) during the follow up period, except from baseline. GI and CAL in LLLT group were significantly higher than NSPT at 3rd and 6th month (P<0.005). No statistically significantly differences were observed between two treatment regimens in all biochemical markers in GCF and PI levels at baseline, 1-, 3- and 6-month visits. We concluded that LLLT (980 nm, 7,64J/cm2) in the treatment of chronic periodontitis was effective in the reduction of the clinical periodontal parameters. Further studies investigating biochemical markers in GCF are required to determine the role of LLLT in the periodontal wound healing.