title: Er:YAG laser versus scaling and root planing as alternative or adjuvant for chronic periodontitis treatment: a systematic review.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To perform a systematic review to evaluate the erbium-doped: yttrium, aluminium and garnet (Er:YAG) laser versus scaling and root planing (SRP) as alternative or adjuvant for chronic periodontitis treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We performed a literature search using six electronic databases and completed by manual searches up to July 2013. We conducted a meta-analysis as well as heterogeneity, sensitivity, subgroup and power analyses to clarify and validate the pooled results. The 3-, 6- and 12-month clinical outcomes were evaluated.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Twelve eligible randomized clinical trials were finally included. Our meta-analysis showed that Er:YAG laser resulted in similar clinical improvements as SRP 3 months postoperatively. For subgroups by laser level, quality of trials and fluorescence feedback device, the results remained consistent. The 6- and 12-month observations between Er:YaG laser and SRP demonstrated no difference but inconclusive, due to large heterogeneity. The advantage of Er:YAG laser adjuvant to SRP for periodontitis treatment was not significant.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This systematic review indicated that the clinical efficacy of Er:YAG laser was similar to SRP 3 months postoperatively. The clinical benefits of Er:YAG laser as adjuvant to SRP was still lacking. Since Er:YAG laser has certain advantages, it could be expected to be a novel short-term alternative choice for chronic periodontitis.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Cranio-Maxillofacial Science, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Stomatology, Shanghai, China.
authors.forename: Yanhui
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Yuanzheng
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Yin
authors.forename: Li
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Tao
authors.forename: Ping
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Nie
authors.forename: Yanmei
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Tang
authors.forename: Min
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Zhu
mesh_terms: D055113:Chronic Periodontitis / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D012534:Dental Scaling / Q000379:methods*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D053685:Laser Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D016745:Root Planing / Q000379:methods*; D016896:Treatment Outcome
keywords: Er:YAG laser; chronic periodontitis; meta-analysis; non-surgical periodontal treatment; scaling and root planing