Objective: The aim of this clinical trial was to determine the clinical and biochemical efficacy of an 810 nm diode laser as an adjunct to scaling and root planing (SRP). Background data: Lasers can achieve excellent tissue ablation with strong bactericidal and detoxification effects. The use of lasers is one of the most promising new technical modalities for nonsurgical periodontal treatment. However, the most effective wavelength and parameters for their use are still under investigation. Methods: This study was designed as a single-blinded, randomized-controlled, split-mouth clinical trial. Twenty-one patients (12 females and 9 males between 26 and 55 years of age), diagnosed with generalized chronic periodontitis, were included in the study. After initial periodontal therapy, which consisted of oral hygiene instructions and scaling, patients underwent two different treatment modalities. Test and control sites were chosen with coin toss randomization. At the test site, patients received SRP and laser treatment; at the contralateral control site, they received SRP treatment alone. Results: Both treatment modalities resulted in significant improvements in all clinical and biochemical parameters. Sites irradiated with an 810 nm diode laser using the “hot tip” (∼760°C) technique showed enhanced healing in all the registered periodontal variables and interleukin (IL)-1β levels, compared with SRP alone. Conclusions: Within the limitations of this study, the use of diode lasers as an adjunct to SRP produced significant improvements in clinical parameters as well as gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) IL-1β levels in the 6 month study period.

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