Evaluation of the effect of Er,Cr:YSGG laser application on peri-implant crevicular fluid receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand and osteoprotegerin levels in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis: A randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the effect of erbium, chromium doped:yttrium,scandium,gallium,garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser application combined with non-surgical mechanical debridement (MD) on clinical parameters and peri-implant crevicular fluid receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappa B ligand (RANKL) and osteoprotegerin (OPG) levels in the treatment of peri-implantitis. METHODS: A total of 49 patients who underwent non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis were randomly divided into two groups. The control group (n = 26) received MD alone, while the laser group (n = 23) received MD+Er,Cr:YSGG. The clinical parameters (bleeding on probing [BoP], gingival index [GI], plaque index [PI], probing depth [PD]), marginal bone loss (MBL), and biochemical parameters (RANKL and OPG) were measured at baseline (T0) and 6 months after treatment (T1). RESULTS: There was a statistically significant decrease in all the clinical parameters in both groups at T1 compared to T0 (p < 0.05). The BoP, PD, MBL, and RANKL reductions were significantly higher in the laser group than in the control group (p = 0.046, p = 0.014, p = 0.047, p = 0.045, respectively). The OPG levels significantly increased at T1 in the laser group (p = 0.01). The OPG/RANKL ratio increased significantly in both groups at T1, which favored the laser group (p = 0.034). CONCLUSIONS: Although both treatment methods were influential in treating peri-implantitis, the laser group (MD+Er,Cr:YSGG) yielded more favorable results by reducing clinical inflammation and improving biochemical parameters. Based on these findings, Er,Cr:YSGG laser may be a beneficial adjunctive treatment in this patient group.

Erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet and diode lasers in the treatment of peri-implantitis: clinical and biochemical outcomes in a randomized-controlled clinical trial.

This study aims to evaluate the effects of 940 nm diode laser and 2780 nm erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser used in addition to mechanical therapy in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis on clinical parameters and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels in the peri-implant crevicular fluid. A total of 50 patients with peri-implantitis were randomized into three groups to receive peri-implant treatment. The control group (n = 17) only received conventional non-surgical mechanical therapy. The trial groups [(diode group (n = 16) and Er,Cr:YSGG group (n = 17)] received dental laser in addition to mechanical therapy. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels were assessed at baseline (T0) and at 6 months after treatment (T1). The GI, PI, and PD significantly decreased in all groups at T1, compared to T0 (p < 0.05). The decrease in the PD was similar between the control and diode groups with Er,Cr:YSGG providing more reduction (1.16 ± 0.64 mm) than either method (p = 0.032). A significant intra-group decrease in MMP-9 level was only observed in the Er,Cr:YSGG group (p = 0.009). The decrease in TIMP-1 level from T0 to T1 was similar between the control and the diode groups (p > 0.05) and it was significantly lower than the decrease in the Er,Cr:YSGG group (p < 0.05). Addition of diode laser to non-surgical mechanical therapy does not provide any additional benefit for treatment outcomes. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser seems to be more efficient both at clinical and molecular levels. ClinicalTrials, ID: NCT04730687. Registered 13 April 2021. Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04730687.

Evaluation of Risk Factors for External Root Resorption and Dental Caries of Second Molars Associated With Impacted Third Molars.

PURPOSE: Impacted third molars (M3s) may lead to external root resorption (ERR) and dental caries (DC) in the adjacent second molars (M2s). The aim of this study was to identify the risk factors for ERR and DC in M2s associated with impacted M3s. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We implemented a cross-sectional study and enrolled a sample composed of patients with M3s and M2s present and cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans available for review. If there was contact between the M2 and the adjacent M3 and the border of radiolucency was more distinct, the case was considered ERR. Apart from that, the case was considered DC. Potential predictor variables were defined as age, gender, tooth location, M2-M3 contact, root development in M3, M3 inclination, M3 impaction type, and M3 follicular diameter. Outcomes of the study were DC and ERR in M2s. CBCT was used to detect the presence of DC and ERR in M2s. RESULTS: A total of 250 eligible images of M3s in the upper and lower jaws of 167 patients were included. The mean age of the patients with CBCT images available was 26.08 ± 4 years (range, 18 to 40), and 43.6% of the patients were men. Factors associated with a significantly increased frequency of ERR in M2s included maxillary location, presence of M2-M3 contact, and mesioangular inclination (P < .005). DC in M2s was significantly more likely to occur in those with absence of contact between M2 and M3 (P < .005). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study showed an increased risk of ERR to be associated with maxillary molars, mesioangular inclination, and presence of M2-M3 contact. The variable associated with an increased risk of DC was the absence of M2-M3 contact.

Evaluation the effects of low-level laser therapy on disc displacement with reduction.

OBJECTIVES: This study aims to evaluate the effects of additional low-level laser therapy (940 nm GaAlAs) to the routine occlusal splint therapy on maximal mouth opening (MMO), visual analog scale (VAS) scores, and passive mouth opening (PMO). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Between January 2016 and March 2018, a total of 40 patients (10 males, 30 females; mean age 22.35 years; range, 18 to 60 years) with disc displacement with reduction of the temporomandibular joint were included. The patients were divided into two groups. Group 1 (control group, n=20) received routine non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) therapy and occlusal splint therapy for eight hours per day for a total of three months. Group 2 (laser group, n=20) received NSAID, occlusal splint therapy and 940 nm wavelength diode laser therapy for two sessions per week for a total of four weeks. The MMO, PMO, and VAS scores were recorded before and at one, two, three, four, and 12 weeks after treatment. The joint and muscle examinations were performed. RESULTS: A constant decrease was found in the VAS scores in both groups. At four (p=0.008) and 12 weeks (p=0.003), a statistically significant difference in the VAS scores was observed. At all time points, PMO and MMO scores increased in both groups. The MMO scores were statistically higher in the laser group at all time points (p<0.005). CONCLUSION: Our study results suggest that short-term low-level laser therapy additional to conventional treatment may yield satisfactory outcomes.

Clinical and histological evaluation of the efficacy of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy used in addition to antibiotic therapy in pericoronitis treatment.

BACKGROUND: Although antimicrobial efficacy of photodynamic therapy has been studied several times, there is no study investigating its efficacy on pericoronitis. This study aimed to determine whether antimicrobial photodynamic therapy combined with antibiotic therapy is clinically and histologically superior to antibiotic therapy alone in pericoronitis treatment. METHODS: Patients (n = 40) with pericoronitis were divided into two groups (20 patients for each) to receive either antibiotic + indocyanine green + 810 nm wavelength diode laser (antimicrobial photodynamic therapy group) or antibiotic alone. Initial biopsy samples were obtained from the affected tissue of the patients at their first presentation to the clinic before any intervention. The second biopsy samples were obtained on the 3rd day of treatment in both groups from the tissue part not biopsied before; tooth extraction was then performed. All tissue samples were histologically examined to assess inflammatory cell response. Patients' pain (using Visual Analogue Scale) and lymphadenopathy (presence or absence) were clinically evaluated in the first 3 days and on the 7th day of treatment. RESULTS: In the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy group, 100% improvement was achieved regarding pain and lymphadenopathy at the end of the 7th day. Comparison of the inflammatory cell scores of the 2nd biopsy samples between the antibiotic alone and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy groups revealed a significant difference in favor of antimicrobial photodynamic therapy group. CONCLUSIONS: Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy combined with antibiotic therapy for pericoronitis treatment was found to be more successful as compared with the antibiotic therapy alone regarding clinical and histological outcomes.

Soft Tissue Schwannomas of the Hard Palate and the Mandibular Mentum.

Schwannomas are benign, slow growing, encapsulated tumours that originate from the Schwann cells. Intraoral schwannomas are rare, and most of these tumours involve the tongue. They are rarely located in the hard palate or in the facial soft tissue. Herein, we present the clinical and histological features as well as the prognoses of two male patients with schwannoma, one of which was localized to the hard palate and the other to the facial soft tissue around the mandibular mentum and caused swelling.

Effectiveness of Single Session of Low-Level Laser Therapy with a 940 nm Wavelength Diode Laser on Pain, Swelling, and Trismus After Impacted Third Molar Surgery.

INTRODUCTION: In low-level laser therapy (LLLT), applications are generally performed in repetitive sessions using wavelengths of around 800 nm, at which the depth of penetration of laser is greater. The present study aimed to investigate the effects of LLLT with a 940 nm diode laser, which was performed extraorally on all the primarily and secondarily affected areas immediately after surgery in a single session, on pain, swelling, and trismus that occurred after impacted tooth extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Thirty-five outpatients with similarly impacted lower third molars on both sides were selected. The teeth of patients were removed in two separate operations. Postoperatively, the patients received laser therapy with energy of 4 J/cm(2) on one side and no laser energy was applied to the other side (placebo side). Swelling, trismus, and subjective assessment of pain on a visual analog scale were evaluated and compared between the laser-treated and placebo sides. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in pain, swelling, or trismus between the sides (Mann-Whitney U test p > 0.05). However, according to the clinical outcomes, swelling and trismus were less in the laser-treated side than in the placebo side. CONCLUSIONS: A single-session LLLT that would be applied with a diode laser immediately after impacted tooth extraction might help patients to be less affected by postoperative trismus and swelling.