A comparative evaluation of the efficacy of diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical debridement versus conventional mechanical debridement in periodontal flap surgery: a clinical and microbiological study.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Research has shown that mechanical methods of periodontal therapy alone may fail to eliminate the tissue-invasive pathogenic flora; therefore, considerable attention has been given to adjunctive antimicrobial measures. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser as an adjunct to mechanical debridement in periodontal flap surgery, on the basis of clinical parameters and microbiological analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 30 patients with generalized chronic periodontitis with probing depth >5 mm after phase I therapy were included in the study. Diode laser was used as an adjunct to open flap debridement (test) as compared with conventional flap surgery (control) in a split-mouth study design. Clinical parameters (plaque and gingival index, probing depth and relative clinical attachment level) and subgingival plaque samples of test and control groups were analyzed at baseline and 3 months post-therapy. Visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to determine patient discomfort intraoperatively and after 1 week. RESULTS: The difference between the clinical parameters in the test and control groups did not reach a statistical significance. However, there was a statistically significant reduction in colony forming units (CFU) of obligate anaerobes in the test group as compared with the control group. The diode laser was well tolerated by the patients, as determined by the VAS. CONCLUSIONS: The bactericidal effect of the diode laser was clearly evident by greater reduction of CFU of obligate anaerobes in the test group than in the control group.

A rare case of generalized pyogenic granuloma: a case report.

Gingival enlargement is defined as an overgrowth or increase in size of the gingiva. Enlargement can be of many types depending on etiologic factors like inflammation, drug-induced effects, neoplasm, hormonal imbalance, and systemic involvement (leukemia, etc). Drugs and hormonal imbalance are the most common causes of gingival enlargement. Nonspecific conditioned enlargement, or pyogenic granuloma, is considered an exaggerated conditioned response to minor trauma or chronic irritation. Pyogenic granuloma occurring in the oral cavity is a common phenomenon. However, simultaneously occurring generalized pyogenic granuloma in the oral cavity is a rare entity. Generalized pyogenic granuloma on the back and skin have been reported. This is the first case report of generalized pyogenic granuloma in the oral cavity. A 19-year-old male patient reported with a complaint of difficulty in mastication and generalized swelling of the gingiva that developed within a span of 15 days. Family and systemic history were noncontributory. Based on the clinical findings, histopathology report, and immunohistochemistry result, the patient was diagnosed with generalized pyogenic granuloma. Scaling and root planing were performed as the first phase of therapy followed by external bevel gingivectomy. The patient was followed for 3 months. The patient was advised to visit the clinic for regular maintenance visits for 1 year, as pyogenic granuloma has a tendency to recur.