Dentistry

Abstract

Comparision of the Microbial Count in Supragingival Plaque, Gingival Crevicular Blood and Saliva Samples Immediately after Diode Laser (970 ± 15 nm) Application in Chronic Periodontitis Patients: A Randomized Controlled Split Mouth Clinical Trial

Krishna Kripal, Sushma Reddy Bhavanam, Anuroopa P, Prathush Ajith Kumar, Kavita Chandrasekaran and Paunami Paul

Background: Periodontal disease affects 80% of the adult population in the United States. Periodontal disease are biofilm initiated inflammatory conditions with presence of pathogenic bacteria. Studies shown that laser decontamination has effect on the bacteria within the sulcus, reducing the risk of bacteremia caused from instrumentation, and to lower the microcount in aerosols created during ultrasonic instrumentation.
Aim of the study: To evaluate immediate effects of a diode laser (970 ± 15 nm) on the microbial count in Supra gingival plaque, crevicular blood and saliva samples of patients suffering from chronic periodontitis.
Materials and methods: A total of 15 subjects were recruited for the study. Each patient’s mouth was divided equally into two halves which were allotted randomly to a group based on coin toss method. Quadrants in group I (test group) were subjected to diode laser debridement while those of group II (control group) were subjected to saline irrigation. Supra gingival plaque, saliva and crevicular blood samples were collected before and immediately after laser debridement and saline irrigation and subsequently subjected to microbial analysis.
Results: Clinical observations showed a significant reduction in microbial count i.e. reduction in mean CFUs(CFU/ ml) in both the groups while statistically-significant reduction is seen in the test group. Test group showed significant reduction in both Supra gingival plaque samples and crevicular blood in comparison to that of saliva samples.
Conclusion: Present study concludes that diode laser (970 ± 15 nm) application has immediate effects in reducing the microbial load in supra gingival plaque, crevicular blood and saliva samples in patients with chronic periodontitis compared to control group.