The effect of diode laser as an adjunct to periodontal treatment on clinical periodontal parameters and halitosis: A randomized controlled clinical trial

Abstract

Aim: The aim of this study is to examine the clinical efficiency of diode laser periodontal pocket irradiation as an adjunct to conventional scaling and root planning (SRP) on periodontal parameters and halitosis. Material and Methods: In our randomized, controlled clinical trial, 40 patients with untreated chronic periodontitis were randomly separated into two group to receive SRP with laser (laser group n=20) or SRP solely (control group n=20). Plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PD), clinic attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP) and halitosis were recorded at baseline and 1st, 3rd and6th months after treatment by a periodontist. Results: Both treatment methods showed significant reductions in clinical parameters and halitosis levels compared to baseline. Conclusion: The present study indicates that compared to SRP solely, adjunctive applications of a 940-nm diode laser with SRP showed lower bleeding on probing and halitosis levels.