title: Laser supported reduction of specific microorganisms in the periodontal pocket with the aid of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser: a pilot study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a radial firing tip of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser as an adjunct to a nonsurgical periodontal treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twelve patients with chronic or aggressive periodontitis were treated by conventional periodontal treatment using ultrasonic devices and hand instruments and, additionally, in two quadrants with an Er,Cr:YSGG laser. A new radial firing tip (RFPT 14-5, Biolase) was used with 1.5 W, 30 Hz, 11% air, 20% water, and pulse duration 140 μs. Microbiological smears were taken before treatment, one day after lasing, and three and six months after lasing. Pocket depths of all periodontal sites were measured before and six months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The total bacterial load of Prevotella intermedia, Tannerella forsythia, Treponema denticola, Fusobacterium nucleatum, Porphyromonas gingivalis, and Aggregatibacter actinomycetemcomitans inside the pocket was reduced significantly throughout the whole examination time. Greater pocket depth reductions were observed in all groups. There was a slight higher reduction of pocket depth in the lased group after six months.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These results support the thesis that Er,Cr:YSGG laser supported periodontal treatment leads to a significant reduction of periopathogenes and thereby helps the maintenance of periodontal health.
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology, and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors: N
authors: N
authors: Gutknecht
authors: Private Practice Konrad-Adenauer-Platz 8, 40764 Langenfeld, Germany.
authors: C
authors: C
authors: Van Betteray
authors: Department of Periodontology, Faculty of Dentistry, Biruni University, Topkapı, 34010 Istanbul, Turkey.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Ozturan
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology, and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors: L
authors: L
authors: Vanweersch
authors: Department of Conservative Dentistry, Periodontology, and Preventive Dentistry, RWTH Aachen University Hospital, Pauwelsstraße 30, 52074 Aachen, Germany.
authors: R
authors: R
authors: Franzen
mesh_terms: D058491:Bacterial Load / Q000379:methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D053844:Lasers, Solid-State / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010514:Periodontal Pocket / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000382:microbiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D010865:Pilot Projects