Laser in Periodontal Pocket Treatment

Despite of the controversy the use of the laser could maximize successful non-surgical treatment. The gold standard in periodontal pocket treatment is a proper eradication of pathological bacterial strains inside infected pockets through the means of mechanical debridement. However, root architecture and its particular anatomic variations make establishing effective debridement protocol difficult in non-surgical periodontal therapy using traditional tools, such as curettes or ultrasonic scalers. Laser therapy as a quest for alternative treatment has a growing recognition for its antibacterial qualities, safeness and broad spectrum of use. Lasers have been used in non-surgical periodontal treatment as alternatives or adjunct methods to mechanical scaling and root planing (SRP). Erbium family laser is used for decontamination and debridement of periodontal pockets and root surfaces in nonsurgical treatment as it displays strong bactericidal and detoxification effect. Due to antibacterial properties, the neodymium and diode laser may eliminate antibiotics from our treatment protocol. Using evidence-based laser guidelines would enable dentists to provide more efficient non-surgical periodontal care. The lecture will provide based of the state-of-the-art practical procedure periodontal pocket treatment, which are predictable and driven by choosing proper chromophore for each laser.

At the conclusion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Know the rules for predictable effect by properly selecting laser for given indications
• Understand what factors may influence the choice of the laser type
• Understand the procedure and indications when using lasers for the treatment of periodontitis