Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy as an Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planning on TNF-Alpha Levels in Gingival Crevicular Fluid and Glycosylated Haemoglobin Levels in Type-2 Diabetic Patients with Periodontitis: A Comparative Study.

INTRODUCTION: Periodontitis is considered as the 6th complication of diabetes. Laser therapy has been used in periodontics aiming at reducing bacteria to stimulate regeneration of tissue, and for its anti- inflammatory effect. AIM: To compare the clinical parameters, HbA1c level in blood & Tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) level in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) in type 2 diabetes patients with chronic generalized periodontitis at baseline, 3 months and 6 months after scaling and root planing (SRP) alone and after SRP along with low-level laser therapy (LLLT). A total of 30 patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and having chronic generalized periodontitis were divided into 2 groups of 15 each. Control group was subjected to SRP only whereas the experimental group received six sessions LLLT along with SRP. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The clinical parameters namely Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index, Bleeding on Probing, Probing Pocket Depth and Clinical Attachment Level along with HbA1c levels and TNF-alpha in GCF were evaluated at baseline, 3rd month and 6th month respectively. TNF-alpha was analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: All periodontal parameters, HbA1c and TNF-alpha levels reduced superiorly in the experimental group as compared to control group at 3rd month interval. CONCLUSIONS: Adjunctive use of laser therapy has effects for 3 months on the clinical parameters and TNF-alpha values but 6 months effects on HbA1c levels and PI in type 2 DM patients. It is obvious that these effects are dose and wavelength sensitive.