Background:Traditional periodontal open flap debridement (OFD) results in reduced pocket depth (PD), clinical attachment loss (CAL), gingival recession (GR) and postoperative pain and discomfort. The quest to overcome these shortcomings has led to research into Er,Cr:YSGG laser assisted pocket therapy (ELAPT). This study was designed to compare the clinical outcomes of ELAPT versus OFD. Methods: Fifteen patients with a PD of ≥5 mm and ≤8 mm at two sites were selected. Test sites (Group 1) were treated by ELAPT and the control (Group 2) by OFD. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline, 3 and 6 months and included Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), modified Sulcular Bleeding Index (mSBI), PD, CAL and GR. Results: Both treatments produced a reduction in PI, GI, mSBI and PD, an increase in GR, and a gain in CAL at 3 and 6 months. The mean gain of CAL in Group 1 at 3 and 6 months (1.60 AE 0.78 and 1.80 AE 0.63) was similar (p > 0.05) to the value of Group 2 (1.93 AE 0.88 and 2.00 AE 0.54). GR increased significantly (p < 0.05) only in Group 2 at 3 and 6 months (1.80 AE 0.56 and 1.87 AE 0.64) compared to Group 1 (0.50 AE 0.68 and 0.60 AE 0.74). Conclusions: ELAPT compared with OFD results in similar CAL gains with less GR and significant reductions in PD, GI and mSBI, and may be considered as an alternative to surgical therapy.

Background: The aim of this study was to evaluate lactoferrin quantification as a sensitive and objective method of detecting the degree of periodontal inflammation, oxidative stress and to monitor the effects of periodontal therapy. Methods: Fifty subjects were divided into two groups based on gingival index, probing pocket depth, clinical attachment loss and alveolar bone loss: healthy group and periodontitis group with generalized chronic periodontitis. Non-surgical periodontal therapy was rendered and crevicular fluid samples collected at baseline and four weeks after therapy for lactoferrin quantification using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. The correlation between clinical parameters and lactoferrin levels was drawn and analysed for both groups. Results: The mean level of crevicular lactoferrin in the periodontitis group was 1857.21 ng/ml. The mean level decreased to 1415.03 ng/ml after treatment. The lowest lactoferrin concentration was seen in the healthy group (75.34 ng/ml). All clinical parameters correlated positively with lactoferrin levels. Conclusions: The lactoferrin level was higher in the periodontitis group compared to the healthy group, and reduced with periodontal therapy. Higher levels were associated with higher values of clinical parameters, both before and after therapy. The data indicates that Lactoferrin plays an important role in periodontal disease and crevicular lactoferrin quantification can be a marker for detecting periodontal inflammation, oxidative stress and monitoring periodontal therapy.