The effect of pulsed Nd:YAG laser used as an adjunct to subgingival scaling and root planning / 华西口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>This study was to observe and compare the microbiological effects of laser therapy combined with ultrasonic subgingival scaling and root planning (SRP) versus SRP alone.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>26 contra lateral teeth were randomly assigned to the test group (laser + SRP) or the control group (SRP alone). Subgingival microbial samples were collected, cultured and analyzed at baseline, then repeated immediately after laser treatment at week 1, week 2 and week 4.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Although both groups had significant increase in G+/G- ratio (P < 0.01), the changes of G+ and G- were more obvious in the test group till week 1(P < 0.05). The total CFU of test group diminished significantly just after laser irradiation (P < 0.05). That revealed the laser therapy followed by SRP appeared to have a stronger effect on converting the subgingival micro-ecosystem to healthy status.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Laser appeared to have a stronger bactericidal action in vivo. especially on the dark-pigmented G- rods associated with periodontal disease.</p>