Rana Al-Falaki1, Francis Hughes2, Reena Wadia2, Christie Eastman3, Elias Kontogiorgos4, Samuel Low3. 1. Private Practice, London, UK. 2. Dept of Periodontology, Kings College London Dental Institute, University of London. 3. Department of Periodontology, University of Florida, College of Dentistry. 4. Department of Restorative Sciences, Baylor College of Dentistry, Texas A&M University.
Abstract
Aims: This is an extended case series of patients treated with an Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser as an adjunct to scaling for the management of intrabony defects. Materials & methods: 46 patients with 79 angular intrabony defects associated with pocket depths of >5mm, and a mean age of 53 ± 9 years presenting with chronic periodontitis were included in the analysis. All patients underwent a localized minimally invasive closed flap surgery utilizing Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy. Final radiographs and pocket depths were compared to pretreatment measurements with a time period of 8 ± 3 months. Results: Treatment resulted in significant overall pocket depth reduction. The mean pre-op probing depth was 8.1 ± 1.9mm, reducing to 2.4 ± 0.9mm post-treatment. Bony infill of the defects was visible radiographically and there was an increase in overall radiographic coronal osseous height compared to a pre-treatment baseline. Radiographs of 15 of the defects were available for further measurements after >12 months, and showed in these sites there was a significant reduction in intrabony defect depth, but no change in suprabony bone height. 9 of the 15 sites showed 50% or more, bony infill of the intrabony defect. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the utilization of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in a closed flap approach with chronic periodontitis may be of significant clinical benefit. Further studies using this laser surgical protocol are required to test these observations in well-designed randomized controlled trials.
Aims: This is an extended case series of patients treated with an Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser as an adjunct to scaling for the management of intrabony defects. Materials & methods: 46 patients with 79 angular intrabony defects associated with pocket depths of >5mm, and a mean age of 53 ± 9 years presenting with chronic periodontitis were included in the analysis. All patients underwent a localized minimally invasive closed flap surgery utilizing Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy. Final radiographs and pocket depths were compared to pretreatment measurements with a time period of 8 ± 3 months. Results: Treatment resulted in significant overall pocket depth reduction. The mean pre-op probing depth was 8.1 ± 1.9mm, reducing to 2.4 ± 0.9mm post-treatment. Bony infill of the defects was visible radiographically and there was an increase in overall radiographic coronal osseous height compared to a pre-treatment baseline. Radiographs of 15 of the defects were available for further measurements after >12 months, and showed in these sites there was a significant reduction in intrabony defect depth, but no change in suprabony bone height. 9 of the 15 sites showed 50% or more, bony infill of the intrabony defect. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the utilization of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in a closed flap approach with chronic periodontitis may be of significant clinical benefit. Further studies using this laser surgical protocol are required to test these observations in well-designed randomized controlled trials.
Authors: Marc L Nevins; Marcelo Camelo; Peter Schupbach; Soo-Woo Kim; David M Kim; Myron Nevins Journal: Int J Periodontics Restorative Dent Date: 2012-10 Impact factor: 1.840