Objective: To evaluate the clinical and microbiological effects of Nd:YAG (Genius®) laser surgery compared to gingivectomy for the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Methods: 8 patients with recurrent chronic periodontitis were included in this RCT. During initial therapy, in each patient, sites in the control quadrant, with PPD >= 5 mm, were treated by scaling and root planing (SRP), (n = 29). Sites with PPD >= 5 mm (n = 28) in the test quadrant were treated by SRP and laser therapy (Power: 5W). Re-evaluation was at 4 – 6 weeks post SRP. Thereafter, in 7 patients, remaining pockets (PPD >= 5 mm) were eliminated by laser (Power: 7W) in test quadrants and gingivectomy in control quadrants. Results: At baseline, prior to initial therapy, the average PPD was 3.76 ± 0.84 mm and 3.85 ± 0.72 mm in the control and test groups respectively. Six months following the surgical procedures there was a similar average PPD reduction in the control (0.85 ± 0.49 mm, P<0.0001) and test groups (0.85 ± 0.43 mm, P<0.0001). Also the reduction in BOP in both groups was statistically significant (P<0.001). No statistically significant differences between control and test sites were found for all clinical and most microbiological parameters at baseline or 6 months post-surgically. Similar reductions in suspected periodontal pathogens were encountered for both groups. Conclusion: Nd:YAG (1064 nm) laser surgery in conjunction with scaling and root planing results in similar treatment outcomes as conventional gingivectomy. An advantage of the use of laser for gingivectomy is that no local anesthesia or post-surgical dressing is required. This study was supported by the Clinical Research Foundation (CRF), University of Berne.

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