The Effect of an Er,Cr:YSGG Laser in the Management of Intrabony Defects Associated with Chronic Periodontitis Using Minimally Invasive Closed Flap Surgery. A Case Series.

Aims: This is an extended case series of patients treated with an Erbium, Chromium: Yttrium Scandium Gallium Garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser as an adjunct to scaling for the management of intrabony defects. Materials & methods: 46 patients with 79 angular intrabony defects associated with pocket depths of >5mm, and a mean age of 53 ± 9 years presenting with chronic periodontitis were included in the analysis. All patients underwent a localized minimally invasive closed flap surgery utilizing Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy. Final radiographs and pocket depths were compared to pretreatment measurements with a time period of 8 ± 3 months. Results: Treatment resulted in significant overall pocket depth reduction. The mean pre-op probing depth was 8.1 ± 1.9mm, reducing to 2.4 ± 0.9mm post-treatment. Bony infill of the defects was visible radiographically and there was an increase in overall radiographic coronal osseous height compared to a pre-treatment baseline. Radiographs of 15 of the defects were available for further measurements after >12 months, and showed in these sites there was a significant reduction in intrabony defect depth, but no change in suprabony bone height. 9 of the 15 sites showed 50% or more, bony infill of the intrabony defect. Conclusions: The results demonstrate that the utilization of an Er,Cr:YSGG laser in a closed flap approach with chronic periodontitis may be of significant clinical benefit. Further studies using this laser surgical protocol are required to test these observations in well-designed randomized controlled trials.