Abstract: Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of diode laser as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treat severe chronic periodontitis. Methods: Twenty patients with severe chronic periodontitis were assessed by probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding index (BI), and tooth mobility (MOB) at baseline. Dentition was divided into two sides. Teeth on the right side were set as the control group, which were accepted nonsurgical periodontal treatment. Teeth on the left side were set as the test group, which were accepted nonsurgical periodontal treatment at first, and whose periodontal pockets with severe chronic periodontitis were disinfected by diode laser later. The same periodontal examination was conducted at 8 weeks after the treatment. Results: The results showed that PD, CAL, and BI had a significant reduction in both groups at 8 weeks after the treatment (P＜0.05). PD and CAL showed a greater reduction in the test group than those in the control group (P＜0.05), while no significant difference was observed for MOB after the treatment (P＞0.05). Conclusion: Diode laser has additional benefits as an adjunct to nonsurgical periodontal treat severe chronic periodontitis for obtaining more attachment level. Diode laser might be an valuable supplement for the current nonsurgical periodontal treatment.

Key words: Severe chronic periodontitis, Diode laser, Nonsurgical periodontal treatment