Significance of scaling and root planing with and without adjunctive use of a water-cooled pulsed Nd:YAG laser for the treatment of periodontal inflammation

The aim was to assess the significance of scaling and root planing (SRP) with adjunctive use of a water-cooled pulsed neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser for the treatment of periodontal inflammation. Thirty-nine patients were equally divided into three groups. In group 1, the upper jaw was treated with Nd:YAG laser application; whereas in groups 2 and 3, the upper jaw was treated with SRP alone and Nd:YAG laser application immediately after SRP, respectively. In each group, probing pocket depth (PPD), plaque index (PI), and gingival index (GI) were measured and gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) volume was determined after using at 1 week and after 3 months. Three-month follow-up results showed that PPD, PI, GI, and GCF volume were significantly reduced in group 3 compared to groups 1 and 2. In short term, SRP with a single application of a water-cooled pulsed Nd:YAG laser reduced PI, GI, PPD, and GCF volume more significantly compared to when Nd:YAG laser and SRP are used alone to treat periodontal inflammation.