Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planning on TNF-Alpha Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Glycosylated Haemoglobin Levels in Type-2 Diabetic Patients with Periodontitis: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION

Periodontitis is considered as the 6th complication of diabetes. Laser therapy has been used in periodontics aiming at reducing bacteria to stimulate regeneration of tissue, and for its anti- inflammatory effect.

AIM: To compare the clinical parameters, HbA1c level in blood & Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) level in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic generalized periodontitis at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and after SRP along with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). A total of 30 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and having chronic generalized periodontitis were divided into 2 groups of 15 each. Control group was subjected to SRP only whereas the experimental group received six sessions LLLT along with SRP.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

The clinical parameters namely Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index, Bleeding on Probing, Probing Pocket Depth and Clinical Attachment Level along with HbA1c levels and TNF-α in GCF were evaluated at baseline, 3rd month and 6th month respectively. TNF-α was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTS

All periodontal parameters, HbA1c and TNF-α levels reduced superiorly in the experimental group as compared to control group at 3rd month interval.

CONCLUSIONS

Adjunctive use of laser therapy has effects for 3 months on the clinical parameters and TNF-α values but 6 months effects on HbA1c levels and PI in type 2 DM patients. It is obvious that these effects are dose and wavelength sensitive.