Impact of diode laser application alongside open flap debridement in periodontitis treatment

TL;DR

This study explores how adding diode laser treatment to traditional surgery improves outcomes for severe periodontitis.

Contribution

The study evaluates the clinical benefits of combining diode laser with open flap debridement in periodontitis treatment.

Findings

Group B showed better wound healing scores on Day 3 and Day 7.

Significant improvements in post-operative pain, CAL, PPD, and mSBI were observed at 6 months.

Diode lasers are promising for optimizing surgical management of severe periodontal cases.

Abstract

Periodontitis is a progressive inflammatory disease affecting the tooth-supporting structures. Although open flap debridement (OFD)
is effective in managing advanced cases, complete elimination of pathogenic biofilms remains challenging. Diode lasers are popularly
used as adjunctive aids owing to their bactericidal and stimulatory properties. Therefore, it is of interest to assess whether the
efficacy of diode laser along with open flap debridement in improving clinical outcomes in severe periodontitis. The study involved 60
systemically healthy individuals with generalized periodontitis and probing pocket measuring more than 5 mm divided into test and
control group. Clinical parameters-probing pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), modified sulcular bleeding index (mSBI),
wound healing index (WHI) and visual analog scale (VAS) for pain-were assessed at baseline, 3 months and 6 months. Group B demonstrated
significantly better wound healing scores on Day 3 and Day 7 while significant improvements were observed in post-operative pain, CAL,
PPD and mSBI at 6 months. Diode lasers offer a promising tool for optimizing the surgical management of severe periodontal cases.