To Evaluate the Clinical Efficacy of 940 nm Diode Laser and Propolis Gel (A Natural Product) in Adjunct to Scaling and Root Planing in Treatment of Chronic Periodontitis

BACKGROUND: Recently, various adjunctive treatment options along with Scaling and root planing (SRP) such as local drug delivery, medications, and lasers have been introduced for the treatment Chronic periodontitis (CP) but literature is limited. AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of 940 nm diode laser and propolis gel in adjunct to Scaling and root planing (SRP) in the treatment of CP. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Randomized clinical trial was conducted among 30 CP patients with a probing depth of ≥5 mm was allocated randomly into Group 1 (SRP), Group 2 (SRP + diode laser), and Group 3 (SRP + propolis gel). Plaque index, gingival index, pocket probing depth, and clinical attachment level were assessed at baseline, one and three months. Data analysis was performed using SPSS version 17 for windows, and statistical techniques employed were repeated measures by using One-way ANOVA, Tukey’s HSD, independent t-test, and paired t-test. RESULTS: Post-treatment sites among all the three groups showed statistically significant reduction in Periodontal index (PI), Probing pocket depth (PPD), and Clinical attachment level (CAL), whereas gingival inflammation was significantly reduced in groups 2 and 3 from baseline to one and three months. On comparison, at baseline, all clinical parameters were statistically insignificant. At one month, the mean difference of PI, Gingival index (GI) was statistically significant between group 1 and 2 whereas the mean difference of CAL and PPD were statistically significant from group 1 to groups 2 and 3. CONCLUSIONS: Lasers with SRP were greatly effective in reducing gingival inflammation, PPD, and CAL. Propolis gel also offered encouraging and promising clinical results but still needs further long-term studies to establish its precise role in the treatment of CP.