Effects of Diode Laser Plus Subgingival Scaling and Root Planing on Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein 1 and β-catenin in Children with Periodontitis

We aimed to assess the effects of diode laser plus subgingival scaling and root planing (SRP) on secreted frizzled-related protein 1 (SFRP1) and β-catenin in children with periodontitis. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of ninety-eight children with periodontitis hospitalized between May 2022 and May 2024. These children were assigned into a control group (n=49, treated with SRP) and a study group (n=49, provided with diode laser plus SRP) based on different therapeutic regimens. After 8 weeks and 12 weeks of treatment, the pocket probing depth, clinical attachment level, plaque index, gingival index and gingival sulcus bleeding index dropped in the two groups compared with those before treatment, and they were lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). At 12 weeks after treatment, decreased prostaglandin E2, interleukin (IL)-1β, hypersensitive C-reactive protein, IL-6, SFRP1 and β-catenin levels were observed in gingival crevicular fluid in the two groups compared to those before treatment, and these levels were lower in the study group than in the control group (P<0.05). Diode laser plus SRP can effectively improve the periodontal indexes and occlusal function, relieve periodontal pain and inflammatory responses, and decrease the expression levels of SFRP1 and β-catenin in the gingival tissues of children with periodontitis.