A Short-Term Evaluation of Nd:YAG Laser as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in the Treatment of Periodontal Inflammation

Background: This split-mouth, single-masked, randomized, controlled clinical trial compares the short-term outcomes of a combined treatment with scaling and root planing (SRP) and neodymium-doped:yttrium, aluminum, and garnet (Nd:YAG) laser irradiation with treatment with SRP alone. Methods: Thirty patients were recruited. The mandibular left or right side was randomly assigned as the test side (SRP with laser treatment) or control side (SRP alone). The water-cooled Nd:YAG laser was used at 4 W, 80 mJ/pulse, 50 Hz, and with a pulse width of 350 mu s. At baseline, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were taken from the test and control sides, and levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 and interleukin (IL)-1 beta, -4, -6, and -8 were measured using standard techniques. The plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), and probing depth (PD) were measured by calibrated examiners. Results: At the 1-week follow-up, PD (P < 0.001), PI (P < 0.05), and GCF volume (P < 0.001) showed significant improvement on test sides compared to control sides. At the 3-month follow-up, PD (P < 0.01), PI (P < 0.01), GI (P < 0.01), and GCF volume (P < 0.05) also showed significant improvement on test sides compared to control sides. At the 1-week follow up, IL-1 beta and MMP-8 levels were significantly reduced on test sides compared to control sides. The 3-month follow-up confirmed that the improvements on test sites had been sustained compared to the treatment outcomes of control sites. Conclusion: In the short-term, SRP in combination with a single application of a water-cooled Nd:YAG laser significantly improves clinical signs associated with periodontal inflammation compared to treatment with SRP alone. J Periodontot 2010;81:1161-1166.