Comparison of Effectiveness of Diode Laser as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing and Scaling, Root Planing Alone in Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis—A Randomized Split-mouth Clinical Study

To compare the clinical effects of diode laser (DL) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) and SRP alone in the treatment of subjects with chronic periodontitis. Thirty subjects aged 25–54 years participated in this randomized split-mouth clinical study. All subjects with 60 selected sites were randomly divided into 2 equal groups depending on the treatment provided. Group I (control site): only SRP was performed at baseline and group II (test site): SRP along with DL irradiation was performed on day 7, 14, and 21. Clinical parameters plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), bleeding index (BI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were recorded at baseline and the end of 3 months for both groups. Mean values of PPD from baseline to 3 months between groups I and II on the mesial and distal aspect showed a high statistically significant difference (p < 0.02). Mean values of CAL from baseline to 3 months between two groups on distal and buccal aspect showed high statistically significant difference (p < 0.02). On intragroup comparison, there was a decrease in a mean difference of PI, GI, and BI individually for both the groups from baseline to 3 months with (p < 0.001). The adjunctive use of 810 nm DL with SRP provides moderate additional clinical benefit in moderate periodontal pockets 4–6 mm. This study signifies that using noninvasive laser therapy, potential clinical benefits can be obtained in terms of reduction of periodontal parameters. Pooja M, Kashyap RS, Hegde S, et al. Comparison of Effectiveness of Diode Laser as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing and Scaling, Root Planing Alone in Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis—A Randomized Split-mouth Clinical Study. J Contemp Dent 2019;9(3):117–123.