Authors
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Over the past few years, a growing body of evidence has allowed us to ascertain
that the initiation of periodontitis stems from the existence of oral microbial biofilm and that this
requires definitive treatment. Owing to its exceptional usability, affordability, and antibacterial
activity, the “diode laser” (DL) has increasingly become a popular and important tool in a dentist’s
armamentarium. However, there is a scarcity of scientific evidence on the utility and advantages of
using “diode laser” in periodontal flap surgery. The study aimed to determine the efficacy of 940 nm
diode laser exposure in combination with conventional periodontal flap surgery for the treatment of
chronic periodontitis to evaluate postoperative discomfort and clinical parameters.
MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 10 subjects (7 males and 3 females) with generalized
chronic periodontitis were recruited and completed the study without any dropouts. For this split‑mouth
study, 40 sample sites with pocket probing depth (PPD) 5–7 mm post periodontal Phase I therapy
were selected. The quadrants were randomly allocated to Groups A, B, C, and D using the fish
bowl lottery method. Kirkland flap surgery with laser and modified Widman flap (MWF) with laser
were performed in Group A and C, respectively, while Kirkland flap surgery and MWF surgery were
performed in Group B and Group D. Clinical parameters including visual analog scale (VAS) score
and gingival inflammation were determined at 3rd and 7th day postoperatively while PPD, clinical
attachment level (CAL), and sulcus bleeding index (SBI) were recorded at baseline and 6 months
following treatment. Wilcoxon signed‑rank test and Kruskal–Wallis test were used for intra‑group
and inter‑group comparison of parameters, respectively.
RESULTS: Statistically significant difference was attained with postoperative discomfort in
laser‑assisted groups on 1st and 3rd day postoperatively (P < 0.001). There was no significant difference
in the proportion of subjects with gingival inflammation. A statistically significant reduction in mean
PPD at 6 months postoperatively was seen among all study groups (P < 0.05) but the inter‑group
difference was not statistically significant. SBI score reduced significantly from baseline to 6 months
follow‑up among all four groups (P < 0.05). However, we did not find the inter‑group difference to
be statistically non‑significant.
CONCLUSION: Diode laser as an adjunct to the surgical procedure can demonstrate appreciable
benefits by increasing the CAL and minimizing the postoperative pain and the probing pocket, but
such additional effects were not observed with gingival inflammation.
Keywords
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