The Effect of Low‐Level Laser Therapy as an Adjunct to Non‐Surgical Periodontal Treatment

Background: The aim of this study is to evaluate the effect of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal therapy of smoking and non‐smoking patients with moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis. Methods: All 36 systemically healthy patients who were included in the study initially received non‐surgical periodontal therapy. The LLLT group (n = 18) received GaAlAs diode laser therapy as an adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal therapy. A diode laser with a wavelength of 808 nm was used for the LLLT. Energy density of 4 J/cm2 was applied to the gingival surface after periodontal treatment on the first, second, and seventh days. Each of the LLLT and control groups was divided into two groups as smoking and non‐smoking patients to investigate the effect of smoking on treatment. Gingival crevicular fluid samples were collected from all patients and clinical parameters were recorded on baseline, the first, third, and sixth months after treatment. Matrix metalloproteinase‐1, tissue inhibitor matrix metalloproteinase‐1, transforming growth factor‐β1, and basic‐fibroblast growth factor levels in the collected gingival crevicular fluid were measured. Results: The primary outcome variable in this study was change in gingival bleeding and inflammation. At all time points, the LLLT group showed significantly more improvement in sulcus bleeding index (SBI), clinical attachment level, and probing depth (PD) levels compared to the control group (P