European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Aim: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) and laser therapy as an adjunct to scaling and root planing in the treatment of periodontal pockets.
Method: Thirty sites in ten individuals with probing pocket depth ≥ 5 mm were randomly divided into three groups, Group A (sites treated with scaling and root planning followed by laser therapy), Group B (sites treated with scaling and root planning followed by photodynamic therapy) and control was set as Group C (sites treated with scaling and root planning). Microbiological parameters (using chair side test kit- Benzoyl-DL-arginine-B-napthylamide; BANA test) and clinical parameters (relative attachment level, probing pocket depth, plaque index, gingival index and sulcus bleeding index) were assessed at baseline and at two months.
Results: Group A and Group B sites showed statistically significant improvement (≤ 0.005) in probing pocket depth, relative attachment level, plaque index, gingival index and sulcus bleeding index, whereas, Group C showed statistically significant improvement in plaque index and gingival index only. In case of microbiological parameter, a significant increase in BANA-negative sites was observed in Group A and Group B. 
Conclusion: The overall observations in the present study showed promising results with significant reduction in clinical parameters as well as BANA positive sites treated with either laser therapy or photodynamic therapy in comparison to sites treated with scaling and root planing alone. Hence, both the treatment modalities could be a beneficial adjunct to scaling and root planing.