Adjunctive neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser therapy for periodontitis in type 2 diabetes: A randomized controlled trial.

In 30 seconds

This randomized controlled trial compared conventional nonsurgical periodontal therapy with or without adjunctive neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet laser therapy in 120 patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes. At 6 months, baseline-adjusted mean probing depth was lower with adjunctive laser therapy by 0.70 mm (95% confidence interval, -0.84 to -0.56; p < 0.001). Other periodontal measures and glycemic outcomes also favored the laser group, while gingival recession was slightly greater. No serious treatment-related adverse events were recorded. The authors caution that glycemic outcomes were secondary and follow-up was limited to 6 months.

Key findings

• Adjusted 6-month mean probing depth was 0.70 mm lower with adjunctive laser therapy (95% confidence interval, -0.84 to -0.56; p < 0.001).
• Clinical attachment level and bleeding on probing-positive sites favored laser therapy: adjusted differences were -0.67 mm and -11.3 percentage points, respectively.
• Adjusted glycosylated hemoglobin and fasting plasma glucose differences favored laser therapy (-0.26% and -0.62 mmol/L, respectively; both p < 0.001).
• Gingival recession was slightly higher with laser therapy (+0.09 mm; p = 0.004); no serious treatment-related adverse events were recorded.

Why it matters

The trial suggests that adding this laser therapy to nonsurgical periodontal treatment may improve periodontal measures over 6 months in patients with periodontitis and type 2 diabetes. The observed glycemic changes are potentially relevant but remain secondary outcomes, so they should not be interpreted as evidence that laser treatment provides established glycemic benefit.

What to keep in mind

Follow-up was limited to 6 months, and glycemic variables were secondary endpoints. Baseline gingival recession differed modestly between groups.