Abstract
Background and Objectives: Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease that influences the supporting structures of teeth, resulting in tooth loss. Non-surgical therapy by mechanical instrumentation is the primary recommended approach to control periodontal infection. However, recently Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been incorporated in non-surgical periodontal therapy as an adjunctive tool in an effort to further enhance disinfection and promote wound healing following Scaling and Root Planning (SRP). Therefore, the aim of the present study is to evaluate the effects of LLLT as an adjunct in periodontal therapy in patients with Diabetes Mellitus (DM).
Materials and Methods: 10 patients with Periodontitis Stage II Grade B were included in the study. Out of the 10 patients, 5 patients had periodontitis without DM (Group 1) and 5 patients had periodontitis with DM (Group 2). All patients received clinical and radiographic examination, Oral Hygiene Instructions (OHI). LLLT was used as an adjunct to SRP (test) verses SRP alone (control) in a split-mouth study design. LLLT was performed on the 1st, 4th, and 7th day and a re-evaluation was done on the 30th day. The primary outcome measures evaluated were changes in Clinical Attachment Loss (CAL), Pocket Depth (PD), Gingival Index (GI) and Plaque Index (PI).
Results: The difference between clinical parameters in both test and control was statistically significant in the (GI), (PD) and relative (CAL), with no difference among remaining parameters. Upon comparison of normal and diabetic patients, (GI) was statistically significant postoperatively without any differences among other parameters.
Conclusion: The sites treated with SRP+laser showed greater reduction in the mean values of (GI), (PD), and relative (CAL) in both sides. No difference was noticed in (PI) and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) between sites treated with SRP+laser and (SRP) alone. In diabetic and non-diabetic patients, the mean values of (GI) showed similar improvement in both the lased and non-lased sides, while other parameters were insignificant.