Effects of Nd:YAG and CO 2 Laser Treatment and Ultrasonic Scaling on Periodontal Pockets of Chronic Periodontitis Patients

Background: The aim of the present study was to compare the effectiveness of Nd:YAG and CO 2 laser treatment to that of ultrasonic scaling used as monotherapies by examining clinical parameters, subgingival microflora, and interleukin‐1 beta (IL‐1β) in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Methods: Eighteen patients, each of whom had 2 or more sites with probing depth measuring >5 mm, were included this clinical trial. The 41 sites were randomly assigned treatment with either Nd:YAG laser alone (n = 14, 100 mj, 20 pps, 2.0 W, 120 seconds), CO 2 laser alone (n = 13, 2.0 W, 120 seconds), or ultrasonic scaling alone (n = 14, maximum power, 120 seconds). At baseline and at 1, 4, and 12 weeks, clinical measurements (plaque index, PI; gingival index, GI; probing depth, PD; clinical attachment level, CAL; and bleeding on probing, BOP) were performed and subgingival plaque and GCF sampled. A quantitative analysis of Porphyromonas gingivalis was carried out using real‐time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) procedures. The amounts of IL‐1β were estimated by an enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results: Decreased inflammation and PD were observed in all 3 groups after treatment. A microbiological analysis indicated significant decreases in P. gingivalis in the Nd:YAG and scaling groups at 1, 4, and 12 weeks compared to baseline ( P <0.05). The amount of GCF significantly decreased in the Nd:YAG and scaling groups at 12 weeks. The amount of IL‐1β increased in the CO 2 group from baseline to 1 week ( P <0.05). The Nd:YAG group tended to show a decrease in IL‐1β from 1 to 12 weeks, although these data were not statistically significant. Conclusions: Our data suggest that Nd:YAG laser and ultrasonic scaling treatments showed significant improvements regarding the clinical parameters and subgingival microflora compared to the baseline, but no significant difference was observed between the 3 groups. J Periodontol 2003;74:175‐180.