Over the last several years many of our referring dentists and patients have asked us about the use of lasers in periodontal therapy. This stems from lectures by touring clinicians and some extremely aggressive laser sales people. Their technique of selling one, then having that dentist give a program in his office has created quite a stir. The larger question remains does this revenue generator work on disease?
The Board of the American Academy of Periodontology had a blue ribbon panel of the best minds in the business look at all the studies. The take away points are:
- When accompanying traditional scaling and root planing, the laser offers no benefit in pocket reduction or gain of clinical attachment.
- Lasers are inconsistent and unpredictable in reducing bacterial loads. This includes photodynamic therapy.
- In root planing, the data is very conflicting versus scaling and root planing alone. Furthermore with the Er: YAG laser, root surface damage is a real problem.
Our position is to wait until the data proves more conclusively which laser, what wavelengths and what techniques work in treating pocketing associated with periodontal disease. While a laser may generate financial rewards for the doctor, currently it is a therapy that at best is inconclusive and at worst harmful to patients.
John A Bierly, DMD
Peter J.M. Peterson, DMD
Jesse M. Sorrentino, DDS
Link to article in the Journal of Periodontology
http://www.perio.org/resources-products/pdf/laser-efficacy-statement.pdf
