Diode Laser Study for Periodontal Maintenance Patients

This study tries to determine whether the additional use of laser with \"cleaning\" (known as scaling and root planning) will result in the reduction of inflammation, reduction of bleeding upon examination and reduction of pocket depth in patients who are being maintained on a regular basis but have pocket depths that are ≥5mm with bleeding. When a pocket is bleeding, it is inflamed. It is usually \"cleaned\" with periodontal instruments (root-planed) to establish health. Some research also advocates using laser therapy to treat a bleeding pocket. Laser therapy is presently being performed in some dental offices and dental colleges. This research is trying to see if the additional laser therapy is beneficial.