The Short-term Effect of Diode Laser (980 nm) Curettage on Aggressive Periodontitis

Objectives: The purpose of the present study was to compare the short-term effect of scaling and root planing alone (SRP),diode laser curettage alone (LAS) and SRP combined with LAS (SRP+LAS) on clinical parameters in Aggressive periodontitis (AgP). Methods: Fifteen AgP patients aged 41.8±6.3 years 9 smokers and 6 nonsmokers participated to this study. Clinical assessment of plaque (Pl), bleeding upon probing (BOP), probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) were made at baseline, prior to treatment (BL). Each quadrant was then randomly assigned to one of the treatment (SRP, LAS, SRP+LAS). One quadrant was not treated and served as control. A 980 nm diode laser (SmilePro980^TM, Biolitec, Jena, Germany) was used for the laser treatment in a continuous focused mode and 2W power setting. Clinical parameters were recorded at 6 weeks (R1) and 12 weeks (R2) post therapy. Results: Repeated measures analysis showed a significant time effect on all clinical parameters. For all treatment groups, plaque and BOP were significantly reduced and remained below BL levels over the monitoring period (p<0.001). Mean PD also decreased significantly following treatment (p<0.001): 6.0±2 at BL to 4.4±1.1 at R1 and 4.2±1.2 at R2 following SRP, 6.1±1.5 at BL to 4.7 ±1.4 at R1 and 4.6±1.5 at R2 following LAS and 6.3±1.5 at BL to 4.3±1.1 at R1 and 4.1±1.2 at R2 following SRP+LAS. Mean CAL showed a similar significant reduction at R1 and R2. Statistically significant differences were detected in the mean reduction of PD and CAL among the treatment groups (p<0.01) in favor of SRP+LAS. Conclusions: Diode laser (980 nm)-assisted periodontal curettage with SRP seems to have a superior effect than SRP or LAS alone in the clinical parameters of AgP over a monitoring period of 12 weeks.