title: Laser curettage: an overview.
abstract: The literature suggests that subgingival curettage has no benefit beyond traditional scaling and root planing. In addition, mounting evidence suggests that there is a risk of clinically significant collateral damage to using Nd:YAG laser energy within the sulcus. There also appears to be some confusion regarding the standards of evidence upon which to judge the performance of adjunctive procedures such as laser curettage. This article presents a review of the literature and a synopsis of the current scientific consensus regarding laser curettage, its effectiveness, its potential for collateral damage, and the scientific standards that apply.
authors.affiliation: Department of Periodontics, Louisiana State University School of Dentistry, New Orleans, Louisiana, USA.
authors.forename: Douglas N
authors.initials: DN
authors.lastname: Dederich
mesh_terms: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D012534:Dental Scaling; D006358:Hot Temperature / Q000009:adverse effects; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D009354:Neodymium; D017622:Periodontal Attachment Loss / Q000601:surgery; D016745:Root Planing; D013357:Subgingival Curettage / Q000379:methods*; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000601:surgery; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015019:Yttrium
chemical_list: D000538:Aluminum Silicates; D009354:Neodymium; D015019:Yttrium