Synergistic Effects of Erbium Laser and Non-Surgical Mechanical Debridement on Clinical Metrics and MMP-9 Modulation: A Prospective Clinical Study

Synergistic Impact of Erbium Laser & Debridement

Background
Peri-implantitis is a significant concern in implant dentistry, characterized by inflammation and progressive bone loss around dental implants, with implications for oral health and overall wellbeing. Conventional mechanical debridement often falls short in effectively eliminating biofilms and controlling the associated infectious disease burden. Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy has been proposed as an adjunctive approach to enhance clinical outcomes and modulate inflammatory mediators, supporting improved disease management and patient health.

Aim
This study aimed to evaluate the synergistic effects of Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy combined with mechanical debridement on clinical parameters and MMP-9 modulation in peri-implantitis patients.

Methods
A prospective clinical study was conducted on 30 patients with peri-implantitis, randomly assigned to either mechanical debridement alone (control) or mechanical debridement along with Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy (test). Clinical parameters including PI, GI, PPD, and CBL were assessed at baseline and three months. MMP-9 levels in peri-implant crevicular fluid were analyzed using ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software.

Results
Both groups showed significant improvements in PI, GI, PPD, and MMP-9 levels (p < 0.05), with greater reductions in the test group. However, no significant difference in CBL was observed between groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusion
Er,Cr:YSGG laser therapy, as an adjunct to mechanical debridement, enhances peri-implant health by improving clinical parameters and reducing inflammatory mediators. Further studies with longer follow-up are warranted to validate these findings.