Effect of Open Flap Debridement with and without LLLT in Patients with Periodontitis on Wound Healing, GCF ALP Levels, and Clinical Parameters.

AIM: The tenet of the study is to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to surgical periodontal therapy [open flap debridement (OFD)] on clinical parameters, gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) alkaline phosphatase (ALP) levels in GCF and wound healing.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Thirty subjects afflicted with chronic periodontitis showing evidence of horizontal bone loss on the radiograph, pocket probing depth (PPD) between 4 and 7 mm, and ≥20 natural teeth present in the oral cavity were included in the study. In every patient, OFD+LLLT was done in one quadrant and OFD in another was performed. The clinical parameters were assessed at baseline, 3 and 6 months visits while the GCF sample was collected at baseline visit and 6 months recall. Wound healing indices were recorded 1-week post-op surgery for each group.

RESULTS

The results showed an evident improvement in all the clinical parameters [pocket probing depth, gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), and CAL] from baseline-6 months values; however, no statistically significant difference was seen on the intergroup comparison. Wound healing was statistically significantly superior in the OFD + LLLT group in comparison to the OFD group, indicating a positive effect of lasers on healing. Gingival crevicular fluid ALP levels in the two groups decreased after 6 months and a statistically significant reduction in the laser group indicated an anti-inflammatory effect.

CONCLUSION

The results clearly indicated the efficacy of lasers in terms of acceleration of wound healing and control of inflammation.

CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: Lasers as an adjunct to surgical periodontal therapy evidently have an anti-inflammatory effect (decrease in GCF ALP levels) as well as accelerate the wound healing process. How to cite this article: Gupta R, Arora SA, Gupta G, et al. Effect of Open Flap Debridement with and without LLLT in Patients with Periodontitis on Wound Healing, GCF ALP Levels, and Clinical Parameters. J Contemp Dent Pract 2024;25(12):1148-1155.