Role of the laser in periodontal treatment: exploring the controversy
Despite the controversy regarding treatment of non-surgical periodontal therapy, the use of the laser could maximize successful non-surgical treatment. The gold standard in periodontal pocket treatment is a proper eradication of pathological bacterial strains inside infected pockets through the means of mechanical debridement.
However, root architecture and its particular anatomic variations make establishing effective debridement protocol difficult in non-surgical periodontal therapy using traditional tools, such as curettes or ultrasonic scalers. In order to achieve complete elimination of periopathogens, treatments can be complemented with additional antibacterial therapy with the use of antiseptics, local or systemic antibiotics. The growing antimicrobial resistance is another concern which has become a huge challenge in recent years. Antibiotic resistance seriously affects the potential for success of the treatments. Consequently, Laser therapy as a quest for alternative treatment has a growing recognition for its antibacterial qualities, safeness and broad spectrum of use. Lasers have been used in non-surgical periodontal treatment as alternatives or adjunct methods to mechanical scaling and root planing (SRP). Laser is used for decontamination of periodontal pockets and root surfaces in nonsurgical treatment as it displays strong bactericidal and detoxification effect. Due to antibacterial properties, the laser may eliminate antibiotics from treatment protocol. Using evidence-based laser guidelines would enable dentists to provide more efficient non-surgical periodontal care.

Learning Objectives
• Understand the varied use of Laser during periodontal treatment
• Standardise the protocol of non-surgical pocket treatment laser assisted periodontal therapy