A general conclusion can be drawn that low level laser irradiation (semiconductor, 670 nm) can be used as a successful physical adjuvant method of treatment, which, together with traditional periodontal therapy, leads to better and longer-lasting therapeutic results.

The aim of this paper is to provide an overview of the available literature on low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and its influence on bone repair and the osseointegration of biomaterials. Extensive studies of alveolar bone repair, a common problem in periodontal therapy, have been conduced worldwide. The utility of LLLT in biomaterial osseointegration is still unanswered, due to lack of literature and poorly understood mechanisms. It is still difficult for one to compare studies about the action of LLLT on the osseointegration of biomaterials because the experimental models and duration of treatments are very distinct. However, it could be concluded that LLLT may offer advantages in terms of periodontal and bone functional recovery and biomaterial osseointegration.

The aim of this study is to compare the effectiveness of low-level laser irradiation to traditional topical fluoride treatment for treatment choices of dentinal hypersensitivity following scaling and root planing. The experimental group (15 patients) was treated with low-energy-level diode laser at each site of dentinal hypersensitivity following scaling and root planning. The control group (15 patients) received topical fluoride treatment (protective varnish for desensitization). All the patients were treated at baseline visit, and then at day 2 and 4 after the initial treatment; the pain was subjectively assessed by the patients as strong, medium, medium low, low, or no pain. Total absence of the dental hypersensitivity was reported in 26.66% of the examined group even after the second visit, compared to the control group where complete resolution of the hypersensitivity was not present after the second visit in any of the treated cases. Complete absence of pain was achieved in 86.6% of patients treated with laser and only in 26.6% in the fluoride treated group, after the third visit. Based on our findings, we conclude that low-energy biostimulative laser treatment can be successfully used for treatment of dental hypersensitivity following scaling and root planing.

Kratak sadržaj Uvod. Diabetes mellitus je hronično oboljenje povezano sa mnogobrojnim faktorima rizika. Zbog povećanja dugovečnosti stanovništva i sve veće prevalence oboljenja stomatolozi u okviru svakodnevne prakse sve češće leče dijabetesne pacijente. Diabetes mellitus se povezuje sa mnogobrojnim oralnim komplikacijama kao što je infekcija Candidom albicans koja je i najčešća vrsta gljivica koja naseljava sluzokožu usne duplje u dijabetesnih bolesnika. Cilj istraživanja bio je ispitati učestalost oralne kandidoze u dijabetesnih i nedijabetesnih ispitanika. Materijal i metode. 150 ispitanika uključenih u istraživanje podeljeno je u tri grupe: 50 ispitanika sa diabetes mellitusom tip 1 bili su prva grupa, 50 ispitanika sa diabetes mellitusom tip 2 bili su druga grupa, a 50 ispitanika koji nisu bolovali od diabetes mellitusa činili su treću grupa. Stomatološkim pregledom procenjeno je stanje oralne higijene, parodoncijuma, prisustvo/odsustvo zuba i zubnih proteza u svakog pacijenta. Za vreme pregleda dobijeni su podaci iz anamneze o bolovanju od oralne kandidoze u prethodnih pet godina. Dijagnoza oralne kandidoze u vreme istraživanja postavljena je na osnovu kliničkog nalaza i laboratorijske identifikacije gljivica iz roda Candida. Rezultati. Utvrđeno je statistički značajno manje prisustvo kandidoze i subjektivnog osećaja oralne suvoće u kontrolnoj grupi (p<0.001). Zaključak. Učestalost kandidoze u usnoj duplji statistički je značajno veća u dijabetesnih bolesnika u odnosu na osobe koje ne boluju od dabetes mellitusa. Neophodna su dalja istraživanja i praćenje dijabetesnih bolesnika, kako bi se razjasnila uloga gljivica roda Candida kao dijagnostičkog faktora za diabetes mellitus i značajnog uzroka oboljenja u ovih pacijenata. Ključne reči: diabetes mellitus, oralna kandidoza, oralna suvoća Uvod Diabetes mellitus je hronično oboljenje povezano sa mnogobrojnim faktorima rizika. 1-3 Prisutan je poremećaj metabolizma ugljenih hidrata, masti i proteina izazvan smanjenom sekrecijom i/ili poremećenom aktivnošću insulina.

Diabetes mellitus (DM) and chronic periodontitis are common chronic diseases in adults in the world population. DM has a strong influence on the oral cavity and represents a risk factor for gingivitis and periodontitis. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has proven effective in the reduction of inflammation and swelling. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of LLLT in diabetic periodontitis through histological analysis. A total of 300 diabetics with chronic periodontal disease and teeth indicated for extraction were assigned into six equal groups. In the groups 1 and 4, indicated teeth were extracted before treatment, and in the rest of the groups upon completion of the entire treatment. All patients received oral hygiene instructions and full-mouth conservative periodontal treatment. In groups 3 and 6, LLLT was applied (670 nm, 5 mW, 2 J/cm(2), 16 min, 5 days). Histologic findings of gingival tissue treated with LLLT showed expressed healing, as is evident by the absence of inflammatory cells. Tissue edema could not be seen, and the number of blood vessels was reduced. In the gingival lamina, propria pronounced collagenization and homogenization were present. It can be concluded that LLLT has shown efficacy in the treatment of periodontitis in diabetics. Because of more pronounced alterations of periodontium in diabetics, the use of LLLT is of particular importance.

Low-level laser therapy as an adjunct to periodontal therapy demonstrates short-term additional bacteriological, cytological and clinical benefits.

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) increases the risk of periodontitis, and severe periodontitis often coexists with severe DM. The proposed dual pathway of tissue destruction suggests that control of chronic periodontal infection and gingival inflammation is essential for achieving long-term control of DM. The purpose this study is to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) by exfoliative cytology in patients with DM and gingival inflammation. Subjects and Methods: Three hundred patients were divided in three equal groups: Group 1 consisted of patients with periodontitis and type 1 DM, Group 2 of patients with periodontitis and type 2 DM, and Group 3 of patients with periodontitis (control group). After oral examination, smears were taken from gingival tissue, and afterward all of the patients received oral hygiene instructions, removal of dental plaque, and full-mouth scaling and root planing. A split-mouth design was applied; on the right side of jaws GaAlAs LLLT (670 nm, 5 mW, 14 min/day) (model Mils 94; Optica Laser, Sofia, Bulgaria) was applied for five consecutive days. After the therapy was completed, smears from both sides of jaws were taken. The morphometric analysis was done using the National Institutes of Health Image software program and a model NU2 microscope (Carl Zeiss, Jena, Germany). Results: Investigated parameters were significantly lower after therapy compared with values before therapy. After therapy on the side subjected to LLLT, there was no significantly difference between patients with DM and the control group. Conclusions: It can be concluded that LLLT as an adjunct in periodontal therapy reduces gingival inflammation in patients with DM and periodontitis.

Background/Aim. Lichen planus is a chronic, immunologic, mucocutaneous disease with a wide range of clinical manifestations. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the most common forms of oral lichen planus (OLP) and its symptoms and to describe treatment responses in patients during 10-year period. Methods. The study was conduced on 163 OLP patients who came in the Department of Oral medicine and Periodontology between 1997 and September 2007. Each case was classified into one of four clinical subtypes: reticular, atrophic, erosive-ulcerative, bullous. Results. There was no significant difference in patients age. Women were found to be significantly more likely to have OLP (p < 0.001). Corticosteroids were effective in reducing symptoms, erythema and healing ulcers. Improvement was shown over a long term in 61.35% patients. Over the long term 38.65% patients maintained the same type of OLP or it became a more severe type. Two patients (1.22%) developed oral carcinoma during the follow-up period. Conclusion. The response of patients with erosive OLP to a short course of systemic corticosteroids often was quite remarkable. However, symptoms and signs tended to recur after this treatment. Periodic examinations, patient education, medical treatment, monitoring of side-effects as well as follow-up biopsies are necessary for management of OLP patients