Laser therapy as an adjunct in the non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a systematic review of clinical and periodontal outcomes
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.20453/reh.v36i3.7658Keywords:
chronic periodontitis, laser therapy, dental scaling, periodontal pocketAbstract
Chronic periodontitis is a multifactorial inflammatory disease that produces progressive loss of the dental supporting tissues. In non-surgical treatment, scaling and root planing (SRP) constitutes the first-line therapy; however, laser therapy emerges as an adjunctive alternative to optimize clinical results. This review aimed to synthesize the scientific evidence regarding the use of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers as a complement to SRP in patients with chronic periodontitis. The research followed PRISMA 2020 guidelines and the PICO methodology. The search included PubMed, Scopus and EBSCOhost between November 2025 and February 2026. Randomized clinical trials in humans comparing laser associated with SRP versus conventional SRP were included. Surgical studies, reviews, and animal or in vitro models were excluded. Thirteen clinical trials, with 316 patients, met the selection criteria. The Nd:YAG laser and the Er:YAG/Nd:YAG combination showed better results in deep pockets (≥7 mm), with greater reduction in probing depth and clinical attachment gain. The use of Er:YAG showed variable results. Nd:YAG and its combination may offer additional benefits to SRP in deep pockets, under standardized protocols, without replacing conventional treatment.
Downloads
References
Sánchez R, Sánchez RJ, Sigcho CR, et al. Factores de riesgo de enfermedad periodontal. Correo Cient Méd [Internet]. 2021;25(1). Disponible en: https://revcocmed.sld.cu/index.php/cocmed/article/view/3585
Haque M, Yerex K, Kelekis-Cholakis A, et al. Advances in novel therapeutic approaches for periodontal diseases. BMC Oral Health. 2022;22(1):492. doi:10.1186/s12903-022-02530-6
Franco-Giraldo Á. La salud bucal, entre la salud sistémica y la salud pública. Univ Salud. 2021;23(3):291-300. doi:10.22267/rus.212303.243
Ciurescu CE, Dima L, Ciurescu VA, et al. Laser therapy effects on periodontal status: a randomized study using gaussian network analysis and structural equation modeling approach. Medicina. 2024;60(3):437. doi:10.3390/medicina60030437
Santonocito S, Polizzi A, Cavalcanti R, et al. Impact of laser therapy on periodontal and peri-implant diseases. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2022;40(7):454-62. doi:10.1089/photob.2021.0191
Al Asmari D, Alenezi A. Laser technology in periodontal treatment: benefits, risks, and future directions-a mini review. J Clin Med. 2025;14(6):1962. doi:10.3390/jcm14061962
Srinivasan M, Kamnoedboon P, Papi P, et al. Efficacy of non-surgical laser therapy for the management of peri-implantitis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. J Dent. 2025;154:105562. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2025.105562
Bian Z, Zhang H, Chen Y, et al. Clinical effect of Nd:YAG laser-assisted non-surgical periodontal treatment on stage II/III periodontitis. J Dent. 2025;162:106056. doi:10.1016/j.jdent.2025.106056
Abud DG, Shariff JA, Linden E, et al. Erbium-doped: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Er:YAG) versus scaling and root planing for the treatment of periodontal disease: a single-blinded split-mouth randomized clinical trial. J Periodontol. 2022;93(4):493-503. doi:10.1002/jper.21-0133
Celik TZ, Saglam E, Ercan C, et al. Clinical and microbiological effects of the use of Erbium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet laser on chronic periodontitis in addition to nonsurgical periodontal treatment: a randomized clinical trial-6 months follow-up. Photobiomodul Photomed Laser Surg. 2019;37(3):182-90. doi:10.1089/photob.2018.4510
Grzech-Leśniak K, Sculean A, Gašpirc B. Laser reduction of specific microorganisms in the periodontal pocket using Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers: a randomized controlled clinical study. Lasers Med Sci. 2018;33(7):1461-70. doi:10.1007/s10103-018-2491-z
Sağlam M, Köseoğlu S, Taşdemir I, et al. Combined application of Er:YAG and Nd:YAG lasers in treatment of chronic periodontitis. A split-mouth, single-blind, randomized controlled trial. J Periodontal Res. 2017;52(5):853-62. doi:10.1111/jre.12454
Dilsiz A, Sevinc S. Trauma from instrumentation after non-surgical periodontal treatment with ultrasonic scalers and Nd:YAG laser. Acta Odontol Scand. 2015;73(2):144-9. doi:10.3109/00016357.2014.961955
Eltas A, Orbak R. Effect of 1,064-nm Nd:YAG laser therapy on GCF IL-1β and MMP-8 levels in patients with chronic periodontitis. Lasers Med Sci. 2012;27(3):543-50. doi:10.1007/s10103-011-0939-5
Eltas A, Orbak R. Clinical effects of Nd:YAG laser applications during nonsurgical periodontal treatment in smoking and nonsmoking patients with chronic periodontitis. Photomed Laser Surg. 2012;30(7):360-6. doi:10.1089/pho.2011.3184
Gómez C, Domínguez A, García-Kass AI, et al. Adjunctive Nd:YAG laser application in chronic periodontitis: clinical, immunological, and microbiological aspects. Lasers Med Sci. 2011;26(4):453-63. doi:10.1007/s10103-010-0795-8
Rotundo R, Nieri M, Cairo F, et al. Lack of adjunctive benefit of Er:YAG laser in non-surgical periodontal treatment: a randomized split-mouth clinical trial. J Clin Periodontol. 2010;37(6):526-33. doi:10.1111/j.1600-051x.2010.01560.x
Domínguez A, Gómez C, García-Kass AI, et al. IL-1beta, TNF-alpha, total antioxidative status and microbiological findings in chronic periodontitis treated with fluorescence-controlled Er:YAG laser radiation. Lasers Surg Med. 2010;42(1):24-31. doi:10.1002/lsm.20873
Lopes BM, Marcantonio RA, Thompson GM, et al. Short-term clinical and immunologic effects of scaling and root planing with Er:YAG laser in chronic periodontitis. J Periodontol. 2008;79(7):1158-67. doi:10.1902/jop.2008.070600
Sculean A, Schwarz F, Berakdar M, et al. Periodontal treatment with an Er:YAG laser compared to ultrasonic instrumentation: a pilot study. J Periodontol. 2004;75(7):966-73. doi:10.1902/jop.2004.75.7.966
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
Issue
Section
License
Copyright (c) 2026 Hector Martin Vargas Cornejo, Cesar Augusto Jiménez Prado , Manuel Fernando Guillén Galarza
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
The authors retain the copyright and cede to the journal the right of first publication, with the work registered with the Creative Commons License, which allows third parties to use what is published as long as they mention the authorship of the work, and to the first publication in this journal.
