Effectiveness of Adjunctive Use of Low-Level Laser Therapy and Photodynamic Therapy After Scaling and Root Planing in Patients with Chronic Periodontitis

Abstract

The aim of this split-mouth, randomized controlled clinical trial was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and photodynamic therapy (PDT) as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) in treatment of chronic periodontitis. Each quadrant was categorized into control group (SRP alone; two quadrants per patient), test group 1 (SRP + PDT), and test group 2 (SRP + LLLT. The test groups showed significantly higher reductions in Gingival Index, probing depth, and clinical attachment level as well as reductions in Porphyromonas gingivalis and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans counts at 1-, 3-, 6-, and 9-month follow-ups when compared with the control group.