Evaluating the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Periodontal Therapy on Salivary Interleukin-1ß Levels in Chronic Periodontitis

This study investigates the impact of low‐level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to non‐surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) on salivary interleukin‐1ß (IL‐1ß) levels in patients with chronic periodontitis. Conducted as a randomized controlled trial with 60 participants, the study divided them into two groups: one receiving NSPT alone and the other receiving NSPT with LLLT. Salivary IL‐1ß levels were measured using enzyme‐linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 1, 3, and 6 months post‐treatment. The results demonstrated that the addition of LLLT significantly reduced IL‐1ß levels compared to NSPT alone, suggesting that LLLT is a beneficial adjunctive therapy in managing chronic periodontitis. Chronic periodontitis, an inflammatory disease leading to the destruction of tooth‐supporting structures, is traditionally managed with NSPT, primarily through scaling and root planing (SRP). LLLT, known for its anti‐inflammatory and biostimulatory effects, has emerged as a promising adjunctive treatment. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT in reducing salivary IL‐1ß levels, a key pro‐inflammatory cytokine in periodontal disease. The trial included 60 patients aged 30‐60 years with chronic periodontitis, randomly assigned to either NSPT alone (control) or NSPT with adjunctive LLLT (test). Participants with recent periodontal treatment, anti‐inflammatory medication use, smoking habits, or pregnancy were excluded. All participants underwent NSPT, with the test group additionally receiving LLLT using a diode laser (810 nm, 0.5 W, 4 J/cm², 60 seconds per site). Salivary samples collected at baseline, immediately after treatment, and at 1, 3, and 6 months were analyzed using ELISA and repeated measures ANOVA. Baseline characteristics were comparable between groups, and while both groups exhibited a reduction in IL‐1ß levels post‐treatment, the NSPT + LLLT group showed a significantly greater reduction at all follow‐up intervals (p < 0.05). These findings indicate that adding LLLT to NSPT significantly enhances the reduction of salivary IL‐1ß levels in patients with chronic periodontitis, highlighting LLLT's anti‐inflammatory and biostimulatory effects and its potential as a promising adjunctive therapy for managing chronic periodontitis.