Laser therapy for the treatment of chronic periodontitis

INTERVENTION: Using a split‐mouth design each patient’s mouth will be divided into test and control quadrants. The test quadrants will be debrided using an Er:YAG laser (KEY3®, Kavo, Biberach, Germany).The laser parameters are set at an energy level of 160mJ/pulse and a repetition rate of 10Hz. The Kavo periodontal P2061 handpiece will be used with water irrigation. The operator chooses the Kavo fibre tips as the situation dictates. All treatments will be terminated when the operator is satisfied that the root surfaces are smooth and thoroughly debrided. An independent examiner will verify the clinical end point. There will be no time limit for instrumentation. CONDITION: Moderate to advanced chronic periodontitis PRIMARY OUTCOME: Bleeding on probing (BOP) Clinical attachment level (CAL) Probing depth (PD) SECONDARY OUTCOME: Patient perception of each treatment modality (Questionnaire format). Visual analogue score (VAS) for discomfort Visual analogue score for pain INCLUSION CRITERIA: All participants will have a minimum 16 teeth (4 per quadrant) and a diagnosis of moderate or advanced chronic periodontitis defined as PD =5mm, attachment loss of =2mm and bleeding on probing in 6 or more sites distributed throughout the mouth. They will be in good general health, and will have received no periodontal treatment within the previous 6 months. All patients must comprehend the visual analogue scale (VAS) and will sign informed consent forms.