Pocket Debridement: Laser Versus Ultrasonic Therapy

Laser therapy may be new to hygiene, but test results on 20 patients indicate that ultrasonic therapy may be just as effective but produce more sensitivity immediately after the procedure. A random trial evaluated the Er:YAG (erbium-doped:yttrium, aluminium, and garnet) laser versus ultrasonic therapy for debridement and removal of bacterial endotoxins from root surfaces. Selected patients for this trial had 2 teeth with pocket depths of 5 mm or more in alternate quadrants. Evaluations were made at the beginning to establish baselines, and at 1 month and 4 months post-treatment. Pocket depths, clinical attachments, and bacterial status were measured at each benchmark. 

Results at 1-month post-treatment indicated decreased pocket depth and increased clinical attachment for both groups. The laser group had a better pocket depth reduction and clinical attachment gain than the ultrasonic group. After 4 months, the ultrasonic group gain had equaled the laser group and there was no statistically significant difference between the 2 groups. Additionally, there was no significant difference in microbial status at either benchmark. However, patients treated with ultrasonic therapy indicated more discomfort immediately post-treatment than the laser group.