Periodontal treatment with an Er:YAG laser compared to ultrasonic instrumentation: a pilot study.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of an Er:YAG laser to that of ultrasonic scaling for non-surgical periodontal treatment.

METHODS:

Twenty patients with moderate to advanced periodontal disease were randomly treated in a split-mouth design with a single episode of subgingival debridement using either an Er:YAG laser device (160 mJ/pulse, 10 Hz) combined with a calculus detection system with fluorescence induced by 655 nm InGaAsP diode laser radiation (ERL), or an ultrasonic instrument (UI). Clinical assessments of full-mouth plaque score (FMPS), bleeding on probing (BOP), probing depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were made at baseline and at 3 and 6 months following therapy.

RESULTS:

No differences in any of the investigated parameters were observed at baseline between the two groups. The mean value of BOP decreased in the ERL group from 40% at baseline to 17% after 6 months (P<0.0001) and in the UI group from 46% at baseline to 15% after 6 months (P<0.0001). The sites treated with ERL demonstrated mean CAL gain of 1.48 +/- 0.73 mm (P<0.001) and of 1.11 +/- 0.59 mm (P<0.001) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. The sites treated with UI demonstrated mean CAL gain of 1.53 +/- 0.67 mm (P<0.001) and of 1.11 +/- 0.46 mm (P<0.001) at 3 and 6 months, respectively. No statistically significant differences were observed between the groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSION:

Within the limits of the present study, it can be concluded that both therapies led to significant improvements of the investigated clinical parameters.

• Authors: Anton Sculean, Frank Schwarz, Mohammad Berakdar, George E Romanos, Nicole B Arweiler, Jürgen Becker
• Journal: Journal of periodontology (J Periodontol) Vol. 75 Issue 7 Pg. 966-73 (Jul 2004) ISSN: 0022-3492 [Print] United States
• PMID: 15341354 (Publication Type: Clinical Trial, Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Dental Plaque Index
• Dental Scaling (methods)
• Female
• Gingival Hemorrhage (radiotherapy, therapy)
• Gingival Recession (radiotherapy, therapy)
• Humans
• Laser Therapy
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Periodontal Diseases (radiotherapy, therapy)
• Pilot Projects
• Root Planing (instrumentation)
• Treatment Outcome
• Ultrasonic Therapy