Management of severe periodontal abscesses using laser/light-emitting diode (LED) procedure adjunctive to scaling and root planing. A case-series study

Introduction: The current literature reports different treatment procedures for periodontal abscesses mainly based on empiricism, but an evidence-based treatment of choice is still lacking. This case report series shows the favorable results of a multi-laser/light-emitting diode (LED) treatment, termed photoablative-photodynamic (PAPD) laser/LED therapy, adjunctive to scaling and root planing (SRP) for the management of acute periodontal abscesses. Case series: Six patients underwent: 1) photoablation of the contaminated gingival epithelium by diode laser (λ 810 nm), 2) irradiation with a λ 405 nm LED, 3) SRP, 4) repeated photodynamic treatments with 0.3% methylene blue activated with a λ 635 nm diode laser to achieve antiseptic and anti-inflammatory effects. Clinical examination and cytofluorescent analysis were used to evaluate the effects of this combined treatment. Subjective pain/discomfort was scored by a visual analog scale and questionnaire. Conclusion: Within the limitations of this case series, the present results indicate that the described PAPD laser/LED treatment performed in adjunct to conventional SRP can be a valuable approach to the treatment of acute periodontal abscesses because it is capable of accelerating periodontal healing while avoiding the use of local or systemic antibiotics and flap surgery.