Effects of low-level diode laser therapy as an adjunct to modified Widman flap in subjects with Stage III periodontitis: A clinical study

ABSTRACT Background: A growing body of research indicates that low-level laser therapy’s (LLLTs) biostimulatory action benefits both hard and soft tissues, increasing collagen and promoting bone repair. Aim: This study was designed to assess the clinical effects of 810 nm low-level diode (GaAlAs) laser therapy as an adjunct to modified Widman flap (MWF) surgery in subjects with Stage III periodontitis. Materials and Methods: The study included 10 patients who were diagnosed with Stage III periodontitis. The contralateral control side received MWF treatment along with a placebo laser application, the test side received MWF along with LLLT. Following surgery, clinical measures including the papillary bleeding index (PBI), plaque index (PI), clinical probing depth (CPD), and relative attachment levels (RALs) were measured at 1, 3, and 6 months intervals. Results: Participants had a mean age of 35.3 years. The postsurgical intervention showed significant improvement ( P < 0.05) only in PBI scores at 1 month (0.1 ± 0.31) and 3 months (0.10 ± 0.32) in intergroup analysis. Similar significant improvements were not observed with the measurement of other clinical parameters such as PI, CPD, and RAL. Conclusion: Biostimulatory effect of 810 nm LLLT was restricted to soft tissues only leading to improvement in PBI Scores. Its effect on other clinical parameters remains controversial during MWF surgery.