Comparison of Open Flap Debridement, with and without Diode Laser in the Management of Chronic Periodontitis: A Randomised Split Mouth Clinical Trial

Introduction: The goals of periodontal therapy include preventing illness, slowing or stopping disease development, replacing lost periodontal tissues, and preserving the therapeutic outcomes. The apical repositioning of the gingival edge during traditional periodontal surgery exposes the root surface to the oral cavity and reduces pocket depth. It may lead to attachment loss, Gingival Recession (GR). It is also commonly recognised that periodontal surgery causes pain and suffering. Laser-assisted periodontal therapy has been the subject of study in an effort to address these drawbacks.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of diode laser as an adjunct to Open Flap Debridement (OFD) with that of OFD alone in the management of chronic periodontitis patients.

Materials and Methods: This randomised clinical trial with split mouth study design will be conducted in Periodontics Department at Sharad Pawar Dental College, Wardha, Maharashtra, India, for a duration of six months. Thirteen patients (26 quadrants) with generalised chronic periodontitis patients will be selected. The Probing Pocket Depth (PPD) ≥5 mm after phase I therapy will be included in the present split mouth study. Diode laser (920 nm) will be used as an adjunct to OFD (test) as compared with conventional flap surgery (control). Clinical parameters like Plaque Index (PI), Papillary Bleeding Index (PBI), PPD, Relative Attachment Level (RAL) and Relative Gingival Marginal Level (RGML) and GR will be recorded at baseline and six months post-therapy. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) will be used to determine patient discomfort intraoperatively and after one week. A questionnaire for patient-based outcomes will be administered after period of six months postsurgery and response will be recorded. Student’s paired t-test will be used, for comparing the treatment groups at baseline and six months.

Conclusion: The results are expected to bring a light on the less mechanical trauma, less postoperative complications and better patient compliance, related to laser-assisted OFD.