Single versus multiple adjunctive Er,Cr:YSGG application to scaling and root planing in periodontal maintenance patients with residual periodontal pockets

Abstract

The aim of this study was to compare the clinical results between single and multiple Er,Cr:YSGG laser applications as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in periodontal maintenance patients with residual periodontal pockets. This study was a split-mouth, double-blind, randomized clinical trial with 17 periodontal maintenance patients who presented two single-rooted teeth with probing depth (PD) of 5–9 mm and bleeding on probing (BOP). The teeth were randomly assigned to group A (single Er,Cr:YSGG application + SRP) and group B (multiple Er,Cr:YSGG application + SRP). Presence of plaque, BOP, PD, relative probing attachment level (RPAL), and relative gingival recession (RGR) was evaluated at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months after treatment by one calibrated examiner. The results showed no statistically significant differences in PD reduction between groups at 3 months (group A: 1.06 ± 1.09 mm vs. group B: 1.00 ± 1.12 mm) and 6 months (group A: 1.18 ± 1.47 mm vs. group B: 1.00 ± 1.22 mm) compared with the baseline. At 3 months after treatment, the RPAL in group A had a gain (0.65 ± 1.06 mm) while group B was at a loss (0.06 ± 0.83 mm). At 6 months, the RPAL changes between 2 groups showed no statistically significant differences. Only in group B, wherein RGR had a statistically significant increase at 3 months (1.00 ± 0.94 mm) and 6 months (0.71 ± 0.69 mm) after treatment. However, this showed no statistically significant difference when compared with group A. Both single and multiple adjunctive Er,Cr:YSGG applications to SRP in periodontal maintenance patients with residual periodontal pockets demonstrated PD reduction. Only the single laser application group showed clinical attachment level gain, and the multiple application group resulted in an increased gingival recession. However, there are no statistically significant differences between the two treatment modalities in all clinical parameters at 6 months.