Diode lasers can significantly improve clinical parameters when used as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) during periodontal treatment, according to a new study in Lasers in Medical Science (November 16, 2012).

Laser treatment was performed by using a 940-nm indium-gallium-aluminum phosphate (InGaAIP) diode laser. Plaque index, gingival index, bleeding on probing, probing depth, and clinical attachment level were measured at baseline and at one, three, and six months after treatment.

The gingival crevicular fluid levels of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), interleukin-8 (IL-8), matrix metalloproteinase-1 (MMP-1), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), and tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.

Here are some of the key results:

•The test group showed a significantly better outcome compared with the control group in full-mouth clinical parameters.

•MMP-1, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 showed significant differences between groups after treatment compared with baseline. The total amount of IL-1β, IL-6, MMP-1, MMP-8, and TIMP-1 decreased and IL-8 increased after treatment in both test and control groups.

•The diode laser provided significant improvements in clinical parameters, and MMP-8 was significantly impacted by the adjunctive laser treatment at the first month.

Conclusion:
Correct selection of the dental laser device, modes of irradiation, application time, the diameter of the laser fiber tip, and frequency of application may help the clinicians to get better results in treating periodontal disease, he added.

"We observed satisfactory results by using diode laser," Saglam concluded. "But there is no guarantee to achieve satisfactory results in every time. We need more evidence to use dental lasers effectively in the treatment of periodontitis."

View the complete article