Adjunctive effects of laser therapy on somatosensory function and vasomotor regulation of periodontal tissues in patients with periodontitis: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Background: The purpose of this prospective study was to compare the changes in periodontal somatosensory function and microcirculation in patients with periodontitis following initial treatment with scaling and root planing (SRP) with or without adjuvant laser therapy. Methods: Twenty-four patients suffering from periodontitis were recruited and randomly allocated into a split-mouth design to either SRP combined laser therapy side (test side) or SRP only side (control side). All treatments were performed by the same investigator at a single visit. Laser Doppler Flowmetry (LDF) and Quantitative Sensory Testing (QST) were performed at baseline (W0), 1 week (1W), 2 weeks (2W), and 4 weeks (4W) after treatment on both sides of the attached gingiva of the maxillary lateral incisor. Clinical examination including probing depth (PD) and bleeding on probing (BOP) was performed at W0, 2W, and 4W on both sides. Data were analyzed with two-way analysis of variance. Results: PD and BOP significantly improved after treatment (P <0.001). LDF values were significantly decreased on both sides at all follow-up time points (P <0.001), temperature was increased only on the test side (P = 0.017) whereas there was no significant change on the control side (P = 0.792). Significantly less sensitivity was observed for all QST parameters (P <0.030) except for warmth detection after treatment. Conclusion: Adjunctive use of laser therapy did not provide any significant clinical advantage or additional effects on the recovery of periodontal somatosensory function or gingival microcirculation in the present study.

Identification of Gingival Microcirculation Using Laser Doppler Flowmetry in Patients with Orthodontic Treatment—A Longitudinal Pilot Study

“…A small sample volume, the optical properties of the sample volume, and variations in microvascular hematocrit are some possible explanations for the drawbacks of this technique. Regardless of the reason, the point that must be emphasized is that, to date, there is no average calibration factor able to convert relative PU to absolute flow value [ 7 , 8 , 9 , 15 , 16 , 21 ]. On the other hand, with the LDF technique, we can decrease the variability between subjects using reactivity tests.…”

“…Laser Doppler flowmetry is a sensitive, continuous, non-invasive, frequency-responsive method that can be used in real time for perfusion measurements in undisturbed microcirculation [ 7 , 8 , 9 ].…”

The Gaseous Ozone Therapy as a Promising Antiseptic Adjuvant of Periodontal Treatment: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

“…In general, the conventional treatment for periodontal lesions is a mechanical and manual non-surgical procedure, named scaling and root planning (SRP), aimed at eliminating supra and sub-gingival bacterial plaque and calculus [ 10 , 11 ]. Several studies have examined the application of add-on therapy in the treatment of periodontitis (e.g., laser or photodynamic therapies) to improve immunogenic responses [ 12 , 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 ], and inter-individual variability of response to various adjuvant treatments and therapeutic procedures has been widely reported [ 18 , 19 , 20 , 21 ]. Recently, the treatment with gaseous ozone has been studied as a support for SRP for its important effects of immune modulation and healing [ 22 , 23 , 24 ].…”