Adjunctive Role of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser in Non-Surgical Treatment of Peri-Implantitis Disease: A Six-Month Clinical, Radiographic, and Microbial Analysis.

Abstract

Peri-implantitis poses a significant challenge to implant success and overall human health and wellbeing, necessitating effective treatment strategies. As an infectious disease affecting peri-implant tissues, it contributes to oral illness and impacts public health. Lasers, such as Er,Cr:YSGG, have been explored as adjuncts to conventional therapy to enhance clinical and radiographic outcomes, supporting preventive medicine, disease control, and improved patient well-being. We sought to evaluate the clinical, radiographic, and microbiological efficacy of Er,Cr:YSGG laser as an adjunct to mechanical debridement in the management of peri-implantitis. This prospective clinical study included 52 systemically healthy patients diagnosed with peri-implantitis, randomly allocated into two groups: control group (mechanical debridement alone) and test group (mechanical debridement + Er,Cr:YSGG laser application). Clinical parameters, including Silness and Löe plaque index (PI), Löe and Silness gingival index (GI), probing depth (PD), radiographic crestal bone level (CBL), and microbiological counts (aerobic and anaerobic colony-forming units), were recorded at baseline and 6 months. Data were analyzed using independent and paired t-tests, with P < 0.05 considered significant. Both groups showed significant intragroup reductions in PI, GI, PD, and CBL at 6 months (P < 0.05). The test group demonstrated significantly greater improvements in PI (0.78 ± 0.14 vs. 1.32 ± 0.12), GI (0.86 ± 0.14 vs. 1.28 ± 0.13), PD (3.20 ± 0.15 mm vs. 3.71 ± 0.23 mm), and CBL (1.70 ± 0.18 mm vs. 1.85 ± 0.20 mm) compared with the control (P < 0.05). Microbial loads (aerobic and anaerobic) were markedly reduced in the test group (P < 0.05). Er,Cr:YSGG laser adjunctive to mechanical debridement significantly improved clinical, radiographic, and microbiological parameters in peri-implantitis management, supporting its role as an effective adjunctive therapy.