Clinical findings following periodontal therapy using Er : YAG laser and ultrasonic scalers

Abstract EN

Background : The aim of the present study was to evaluate and compare the clinical effects of Er: YAG-laser and ultrasonic scalers in patients with chronic periodontitis.

Material and Methods : Twenty patients with chronic periodontitis were treated under local anesthesia and the mouth was randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to either Er: YAG laser using an energy level of 150mj/pulse or deep debridement (SRP) using ultrasonic scalers.

Clinical assessment of plaque index (P1), gingival index (G1), Bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were made prior to and at 3 and 6 months after therapy.

Result s: The P1 remained almost unchanged beside a significant reduction of the G1 in both groups after 6 months.

The reduction in the mean value of BOP in laser group (L) was from 64 % at base line to 15 % after 6 months, and in the SRP group 61% at baseline to 21 % after 6 months, the mean value of the PD decreased in the laser group (L) 5.1 ± 0.7mm at baseline to 3.1± 0.7mm after 6 months, and in SRP group from 5.3 ± 0.6mm at baseline to 3.2 ± 0.6mm after 6 months.

The reduction in the mean value of the CAL in the laser group (L) from 6.5± 0.9mm at baseline to 4.1± 1.0mm after 6 months and in the SRP group from 6.7± 0.9mm at baseline to 5.8 ± 0.9mm after 6 months.

Conclusions : The improvement was significantly higher in the laser group (L) than in the SRP group, and an Er.

YAG laser may represent a suitable alternative for non-surgical periodontal treatment.