Short-Term Efficacy of Er:YAG Laser and Nd:YAG Laser Combined Therapy on Periodontitis

Objective: The objective of this research is to assess the short-term efficacy of combined erbium-doped: yttrium aluminum and garnet (Er:YAG) and neodymium-doped: yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) lasers for the nonsurgical treatment of periodontitis, providing a reliable basis for whether this clinical treatment can be applied in clinical practice. Materials and methods: Thirty patients with periodontitis are chosen for this study. A split-mouth design was used; the left and right quadrants of the oral cavity are randomly assigned to one treatment: combined Er:YAG laser and Nd:YAG laser treatment (laser group) or scaling and root planing (SRP) group. Data on probing depth, clinical attachment level, bleeding index, and subgingival plaque and gingival crevicular fluid samples are collected in the basement, for 1 and 3 months. The levels of red complexes in subgingival plaque and cytokines in gingival sulcus fluid were measured by real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results: At 1 and 3 months of follow-up, all clinical parameters in the two groups are significantly improved; there is a statistically remarkable difference between the laser group and SRP group (p < 0.001). Matrix metalloproteinase 8 levels in the laser group are notably lower than those in the SRP group 3 months after treatment (p < 0.001). At any point in time, the levels of red complexes in the laser group showed no additional advantage over those in the SRP group (p > 0.05). Conclusions: Er:YAG laser and Nd:YAG laser combined therapy on periodontitis have advantages in controlling periodontal inflammation and improving clinical symptoms.