Root Surface Bio-modification with Erbium Lasers- A Myth or a Reality??

Er:Yag Laser Root Modification for Single Root Recession Class III Coverage – Case Report

Gingival recession is a common dental condition causing esthetic and functional problems to the patients. In the present case report gingival recession Miller class III is treated with bilaminar technique and subepithelial connective tissue graft where the tooth root surface is modified by Er:YAG laser and the case is observed for 5 months. There were no complications or side effects during the surgery and the healing period. The patient was stable after 5 months of follow-up. It could be concluded that the Er:YAG laser could be used in addition to mucogingival surgery, but longer observation and more studies are needed to clarify and prove its adjunctive application.

Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium-Scandium-Gallium-Garnet Laser for Root Conditioning and Reduction of Postoperative Morbidity in the Treatment of Gingival Recession Defects: A Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Objective: This clinical trial evaluates the effect of erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) root surface biomodification and laser harvesting of de-epithelialized gingival graft (DGG) on root coverage clinical outcomes and postoperative morbidity, and compares this to the conventional blade-harvested DGG method without Er,Cr:YSGG root surface biomodification in treatment of Miller's class I, II gingival recessions (GR). Background: The application of laser technology to enhance tooth root coverage clinical outcomes as well as the impact of laser on postoperative morbidity after harvesting autogenous soft tissue grafts requires further research. Methods: This study is a randomized, single-blinded controlled trial, including 24 volunteers with isolated GR defects. They were allocated into three treatment groups to receive one of the following three interventions: blade-harvested DGG (control group: B-DGG); Er,Cr:YSGG-harvested DGG and root surface biomodified [test 1 group: L-laser-harvested DGG (L-DGG)/laser root biomodification (LRB)]; and B-DGG and Er,Cr:YSGG root surface biomodification (test 2 group: B-DGG/LRB). Clinical and radiographic parameters were recorded at baseline (1 week before surgery) and 3, 6, and 9 months postoperatively. Results: Root coverage did not show a statistically significant difference between control and test groups. Statistically significant differences were found for Visual Analog Scale on the day of surgery and day 3 and 4 postoperatively, as well as pain medication on the day of surgery favoring the L-DGG group. Conclusions: The use of Er,Cr:YSGG laser in root surface biomodification improved root coverage outcomes at 9 months. Even these changes were not statistically significant from the control group; the L-DGG technique was associated with decreased postoperative morbidity in the palatal donor site.

Clinical and Immunological Effects of Er,Cr:YSGG Laser in Nonsurgical Periodontal Treatment: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the clinical and immunological results of nonsurgical periodontal treatment with or without the erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser. Background data: As lasers have begun to be used in dentistry, the Er,Cr:YSGG laser has started to attract attention in the field of periodontology. Materials and methods: Fifty-nine nonsmoking patients with advanced chronic periodontitis were randomly allocated to a test group (full-mouth ultrasonic supra- and subgingival debridement+Er,Cr:YSGG laser application) and a control group (full-mouth ultrasonic supra- and subgingival debridement+root planing with Gracey curettes). The laser parameters were set as follows: 1.5 W output power, pulse mode H (pulse duration of 140 μs), pulse frequency of 20 Hz, and an air-water spray ratio of 10% air and 15% water. The instrumentation was performed until the operator felt that the root surfaces were adequately debrided. Probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), plaque index, interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), matrix metalloproteinase-8 (MMP-8), tissue inhibitor metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1), and MMP-8/TIMP-1 levels in gingival crevicular fluid were evaluated at baseline, 6 weeks, and 3 months postoperatively. Results: There were statistically significant differences in PD, which was our primary outcome, and BOP between the groups at both examinations [p < 0.001 and p < 0.001 (for PD) and p = 0.048 and p < 0.001 (for BOP), respectively], in favor of the laser group. However, there were no significant differences among groups at any time for CAL gain (p = 563 and p = 369, respectively). No significant differences in MMP-8, TIMP-1, and MMP-8/TIMP-1 levels were detected among groups. There was a statistically significant difference for IL-1β levels among groups at 3-month evaluations in favor of the laser group. Conclusions: Using the Er,Cr:YSGG laser instead of hand instruments in nonsurgical periodontal treatment has shown additional improvements in terms of pocket reduction and gingival bleeding compared with traditional nonsurgical therapy.

Clinical Effectiveness of Er: YAG Lasers Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in Non-Surgical Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis: A Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

BACKGROUND Er: YAG lasers (ERLs) show suitable characteristics for scaling and root planing, but previous studies have drawn conflicting conclusions. This meta-analysis aimed to systematically appraise the available evidence concerning the effectiveness of ERLs as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP) for non-surgical periodontal treatment. MATERIAL AND METHODS Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing ERLs+SRP with SRP alone for the treatment of chronic periodontitis were searched in 9 electronic biomedical databases up to January 2018. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were counted for probing depth (PD) reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, and visual analog scale (VAS) score. Heterogeneity was evaluated with the I² statistic for interstudy comparisons and the χ²-based Q statistic for intra-study comparisons. Sensitivity analysis was conducted by switching to a random or fixed effect model based on the heterogeneity. Publication bias was measured by Begg's test. RESULTS Ten related RCTs met the inclusion criteria. There were statistically significant differences in the assessed clinical parameters at the three-month follow-up: PD reduction (WMD=0.32, 95%CI range from 0.14 to 0.51, p<0.001; p=0.003, I²=69.7%); CAL gain (WMD=0.31, 95%CI range from 0.22 to 0.40, p<0.001; p=0.209, I²=28.8%); and VAS scores (WMD=-1.38, 95%CI range from -2.45 to -0.31, p<0.001; p=0.182, I²=44%). There were no significant differences at the six- and twelve-month follow-ups. Sensitivity analysis revealed that the results were consistent. No evidence of publication bias was detected. CONCLUSIONS This systematic analysis demonstrated that ERLs+SRP provides additional short-term effectiveness and that patients experience less pain compared to SRP. There were no significant differences at the medium-term and long-term follow-ups. Long-term well-designed RCTs are required.

[Efficacy of minocycline hydrochloride combined with flap surgery for chronic periodontitis: a Meta-analysis]

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of 2% minocycline hydrochloride combined with flap surgery in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. The superiority of this therapy to simple flap surgery was also explored.

METHODS

We searched the databases of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang, Chinese Biomedical Literature, PubMed, ScienceDirect, and Embase from inception to July 2017. Two reviewers independently screened literature, extracted data, and evaluated the bias risk of included studies. Then, Meta-analysis was performed using RevMan 5.3 software.

RESULTS

A total of seven randomized controlled trials involving 217 patients were included. Meta-analysis showed that, in two groups, the changes in probing depth (PD) [MD=-0.55, 95%CI (-0.84, -0.26), P=0.000 2] and plaque index [MD=-0.08, 95%CI (-0.15, -0.01), P=0.03] at 3 and 6 months of PD [MD=-0.62, 95%CI (-1.04, -0.21), P=0.003] had statistically significant difference (P<0.05). The clinical attachment loss (CAL) [MD=-0.21, 95%CI (-0.47, 0.04), P=0.10] had no statistically significant difference after 3 months (P>0.05), but the improvement in CAL was significantly improved by minocycline hydrochloride combined with flap therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Periodontal flap combined with minocycline adjuvant therapy for chronic periodontitis is effective in short-term observations.

Effect of Er,Cr (YSGG Laser Root Conditioning on the Success of Root Coverage with Subepithelial Connective Tissue Graft): A Randomized Clinical Trial with a 6-Month Follow-Up

OBJECTIVES

Finding predictable approaches for root surface biomodification is an important challenge in the treatment of gingival recession. This study sought to assess the root coverage percentage by subepithelial connective tissue graft (SCTG) following root surface conditioning with erbium, chromium: yttrium scandium gallium garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this split-mouth, randomized clinical trial, 30 teeth with Miller's Class I and II gingival recession were treated with SCTG (the Langer and Langer technique) with (case group) or without (control group) root surface conditioning with Er,Cr:YSGG laser (wavelength=2780 nm, power=0.75 W, H mode, repetition rate=20 Hz). Recession depth (RD), recession width (RW), clinical attachment level (CAL), and probing depth (PD) were assessed at the baseline (one week before surgery) and at 2 and 6 months postoperatively. The amount of root coverage was quantified in the two groups. Data were analyzed using Friedman test and Wilcoxon signed-rank test.

RESULTS

No significant difference was noted between the case and control groups in any parameter (P>0.05). Significant improvement occurred in all the measured parameters in the two groups after surgery (P<0.05). The mean root coverage at the end of the study period was 87% and 80% in the case and control groups, respectively (P=0.244), and complete root coverage was achieved in 66% and 60% of the samples in the case and control groups, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Root surface conditioning by Er,Cr:YSGG laser improved the mean root coverage and the percentage of complete root coverage. However, these changes were not statistically significant.

Minimally Invasive Treatment of Infrabony Periodontal Defects Using Dual-Wavelength Laser Therapy

Introduction. Surgical management of infrabony defects is an invasive procedure, frequently requiring the use of adjunctive material such as grafts or biologics, which is time-consuming and associated with expense and morbidity to the patient. Lasers in periodontal regeneration have been reported in the literature, with each wavelength having potential benefits through different laser-tissue interactions. The purpose of this case series was to assess the efficacy of a new dual-wavelength protocol in the management of infrabony defects. Materials and Methods. 32 defects (one in each patient) were treated using ultrasonic debridement, followed by flapless application of Erbium, Chromium:Yttrium, Scandium, Gallium, Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser (wavelength 2780 nm), and final application of diode laser (wavelength 940 nm). Pocket depths (PD) were measured after 6 months and repeat radiographs taken after one year. Results. The mean baseline PD was 8.8 mm (range 6–15 mm) and 6 months later was 2.4 mm (range 2–4 mm), with mean PD reduction being 6.4 ± 1.7 mm (range 3–12 mm). There was a significant gain in relative linear bone height (apical extent of bone), with mean percentage bone fill of 39.7 ± 41.2% and 53% of sites showing at least 40% infill of bone. Conclusion. The results compare favourably with traditional surgery and require further validation through randomised clinical controlled trials.

The Adjunctive Use of the Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet Laser in Closed Flap Periodontal Therapy. A Retrospective Cohort Study

Objectives:

The current periodontal literature has been inconsistent in finding an added advantage to using lasers in periodontal therapy. The aim of this study was to compare treatment outcomes following root surface instrumentation alone (NL group), or with adjunctive use of Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser (L group).

Material and Methods:

Patients diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis, having a minimum of 1 year follow up were selected by a blinded party for inclusion in a retrospective analysis from patients treated prior to and after integration of laser in a single clinic setting. Probing depths (PD) of all sites ≥5 mm and full mouth bleeding scores were analyzed. Further analysis was carried out on the treatment outcomes of only the molar teeth and of pockets >6mm.

Results:

53 patients were included (25 NL,28 L). There was no significant difference between baseline PDs (NL=6.19mm, L=6.27mm, range 5-11mm). The mean PD after one year was 2.83mm (NL) 2.45mm (L), with the mean PD reductions being 3.35mm (NL) and 3.82mm (L) (p<0.002). The mean PD reduction for the molars were 3.32mm (NL) and 3.86mm (L) (p< 0.007), and for ≥7mm group were 4.75mm (NL) compared to 5.14mm (L) (p< 0.009). There was significantly less bleeding on probing in the laser group after one year (p<0.001)

Conclusion:

Both treatment modalities were effective in treating chronic periodontitis, but the added use of laser may have advantages, particularly in molar tooth sites and deeper pockets. Further research with RCTs is needed to test this hypothesis further.