Evaluation of the efficiency of depigmentation operation with diode and er:Yag lasers 6 months follow up

The aim of this study is; the comparison of the efficacy of diode and Er: YAG lasers used in the elimination of melanin pigmentation, and the incidence of pain during and after the operation. In this study, 120 pigmented regions in 30 patients aged 21-59 years were divided into two and treated with diode and Er: YAG laser. Two laser methods were used in each patient and the study was planned as split-mouth. The upper right-lower left region of each patient (area from the central tooth to the 2.premolar tooth) was treated with diode laser, upper left-lower right region with Er:YAG laser. After the treatment, the efficacy of the lasers, wound healing, recurrence, pain and aesthetic evaluations were evaluated. Following initial periodontal treatment, photo records of the areas to be treated were obtained. First, upper right-lower left regions were treated with diode laser. One month after the depigmentation treatment done with diode laser, upper left-lower right quadrants were treated with Er: YAG laser. Following depigmentation procedures, patients were photographed with plaque dye (Mira2Ton) for evaluation of epithelization areas on the 3rd, 7th and 15th days, and the patients were asked to evaluate their pain levels with VAS (Visual Anolog Scale) –Pain scale. The patients were then seen on days 21, 30, 90, and 180. photographs were taken from depigmented areas and patients were asked to evaluate their aesthetic perceptions on the VAS-aesthetic scale. Area calculations were done using the Image J program on the photographic recordings, so that epithelization times and areas showing repigmenting were calculated at the end of 6 months follow-up. At the end of the study; it was observed that both methods did not make a statistically significant difference in terms of epithelization, recurrence, pain and aesthetics. Key words: gingival pigmentation, diode, Er: YAG, depigmentation