Enamel matrix derivative and low-level laser therapy in the treatment of intra-bony defects: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of this study was to evaluate the immediate post-operative pain, wound healing and clinical results after the application of an enamel matrix protein derivative (EMD) alone or combined with a low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for the treatment of deep intra-bony defects.


METHODS
This study was an intra-individual longitudinal test of 12 months' duration conducted using a blinded, split-mouth, placebo-controlled and randomized design. In 22 periodontitis patients, one intra-bony defect was randomly treated with EMD+LLLT, while EMD alone was applied to the contra-lateral defect site. LLLT was used both intra- and post-operatively. Clinical measurements were performed by a blinded periodontist at the time of surgery, in the first week and in the first, second, sixth and 12th month. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores were recorded for pain assessment.


RESULTS
The results have shown that the treatment of intra-bony defects with EMD alone or EMD+LLLT leads to probing depth reduction and attachment-level gain. In addition, EMD+LLLT had resulted in less gingival recession (p<0.05), less swelling (p<0.001) and less VAS scores (p<0.02) compared with EMD alone.


CONCLUSIONS
This study shows that EMD is an effective, safe and predictable biomaterial for periodontal regeneration and LLLT may improve the effects of EMD by reducing post-operative complications.
Ozcelik
Onur
O
Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Cukurova University, Adana, Turkey. oozcelik@cu.edu.tr
Cenk Haytac
Mehmet
M
Seydaoglu
Gulsah
G
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008336:Mandibular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008439:Maxillary Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000187:drug effects
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D003746:Dental Enamel Proteins; C109069:enamel matrix proteins