Low-level Laser Therapy as an Adjunct to Non-surgical Periodontal Treatment

Limited data is available regarding the effects of various periodontal treatment protocols on GCF t-PA and PAI-1 levels, and the extent to which LLLT in conjunction with NSPT affects these levels in patients with Stage 3-4, Grade C periodontitis is unknown. Therefore, this study measured standard clinical outcomes and GCF t-PA and PAI-1 levels in patients with Stage 3-4 Grade, C periodontitis in order to assess the use of LLLT as an adjunct to standard NSPT.

This split-mouth study was conducted with 15 Stage 3-4, Grade C periodontitis patients and 15 healthy individuals matched for age and sex. Participants were grouped as follows: Periodontitis/NSPT (Sham); Periodontitis/NSPT+LLLT (LLLT); Periodontally Healthy (Control). LLLT was applied following NSPT and again on post-treatment Days 2 and 7. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline (i.e. before NSPT) and on Day 30. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at baseline and during follow-up visits on Days 7, 14 and 30. GCF t-PA and PAI-1 levels were measured with ELISA.

Inclusion criteria

• Stage 3-4, Grade C periodontitis (at least one site with probing depth (PD) and clinical attachment level (CAL) ≥5 mm in their incisors and/or first molars and at least 6 other teeth with similar PD and CAL measurements, with alveolar bone loss confirmed by radiography; familial aggregation;
• presence of ≥16 teeth;
• no periodontal treatment in the 6 months prior to data collection;
• non-smoker

Exclusion criteria

• systemic problems, including a medical history of cancer, rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes mellitus, or cardiovascular disease;
• compromised immune system;
• pregnancy, menopause, or lactation;
• ongoing drug therapy that might affect the clinical characteristics of periodontitis;
• use of systemic antimicrobials during the 6 weeks prior to data collection