Diode Laser Therapy As An Adjunct To Scaling And Root Planing

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Laser therapy has been proposed as a novel treatment option in controlling subgingival microorganisms. This randomized controlled clinical trial evaluates the effect of 980nm diode laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in the management of chronic periodontitis (CP).

Detailed Description
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Conventional mechanical debridement can achieve a temporary decrease in the subgingival levels of Pg along with other pathogens. However, mechanical therapy alone may fail to eliminate pathogenic bacterial niches in inaccessible areas like deep pockets, root concavities, furcation areas etc. In search of more efficient and less traumatic techniques to improve periodontal healing, researchers proposed the use of lasers in periodontal therapy. The adjunctive use of lasers with conventional tools may facilitate treatment and have the potential to improve healing. The diode laser is highly absorbed in hemoglobin and other pigments and is excellent for use in soft tissue surgical procedures.Laser application in improving clinical outcome in periodontal therapy, needs to be further investigated with well designed clinical trials. The investigators attempted to evaluate the efficacy of diode laser as an adjunct to SRP in the management of CP by evaluating clinical parameters coupled with quantitative estimation of P.gingivalis using Real-time Polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay.

Official Title
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Diode Laser Therapy As An Adjunct To Non-Surgical Management Of Chronic Periodontitis - A Pilot Study

Conditions
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Chronic Periodontitis

Intervention / Treatment
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* Procedure: Ultrasonic Scaling and root planing
* Procedure: 980 nm diode laser irradiation


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: 40 systemically healthy subjects diagnosed with generalized moderate CP in the age group of 30 to 50 years. Minimum of 20 teeth having atleast two non-adjacent sites per quadrant with probing pocket depth of ≥ 5mm and clinical attachment loss of 3- 4 mm Exclusion Criteria: Patients who had undergone periodontal therapy 6 months prior to the commencement of the study. Subjects on antibiotics or immunosuppressants. Chronic smokers, alcoholics, smokeless tobacco users. Subjects with acute illnesses/acute intraoral lesions. Pregnant women Subjects who had undergone extensive restorative dental treatment.

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 30 Years
Maximum Age: 50 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Accepts Healthy Volunteers
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No

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Design Details

Primary Purpose: Treatment
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention Model: Parallel Assignment
Masking: Double


Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Active Comparator: Ultrasonic Scaling, Root planing<br>Ultrasonic Scaling and Root planing at day 0 and at 1 week. | Procedure: Ultrasonic Scaling and root planing<br>* Procedure of scaling and root planing at day 0 and at 1 week<br>|
| Experimental: 980 nm diode Laser irradiation<br>Irradiation of periodontal pockets with with 980 nm diode Laser after scaling and root planing at day 0 and after 1 week. | Procedure: Ultrasonic Scaling and root planing<br>* Procedure of scaling and root planing at day 0 and at 1 week<br>Procedure: 980 nm diode laser irradiation<br>* Procedure of scaling and root planing and application of 980 nm diode laser at day 0 and at 1 week<br>|

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in levels of P.gingivalis | Microbial profile was assessed using PCR at baseline, 4-6 weeks and 12-14 weeks post treatment in both the study groups. | 14 weeks | 

Secondary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Change in gingival index | Gingival index by Loe and Silness was assessed at baseline, 4-6 weeks and 12-14 weeks post treatment in both the groups | 14 weeks | 
| Change in plaque index | Plaque index by Silness and Loe was assessed at baseline, 4-6 weeks and 12-14 weeks | 14 weeks | 
| Change in probing pocket depth | Probing pocket depth was assessed at baseline, 4-6 weeks and 12-14 weeks | 14 weeks | 
| Change in clinical attachment level | Clinical attachment level was assessed at baseline, 4-6 weeks and 12-14 weeks | 14 weeks |