Clinical effectiveness of Er,Cr:YSGG lasers in non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#chronic-periodontitis #humans #lasers-solid-state #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic #treatment-outcome

Clinical effectiveness of Er,Cr:YSGG lasers in non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials

Li et al., 2021 | Lasers Med Sci | Meta Analysis

Citation

Li Meng-Meng, Jia Jin-Hai, ... Zhang Xiao-Lin. Clinical effectiveness of Er,Cr:YSGG lasers in non-surgical treatment of chronic periodontitis: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Lasers Med Sci. 2021-Jun;36(4):889-901. doi:10.1007/s10103-020-03156-2

Abstract

The meta-analysis aimed to systematically evaluate all the available pieces of evidence concerning the clinical effectiveness of Er,Cr:YSGG lasers (erbium, chromium, yttrium scandium gallium garnet laser) in the non-surgical treatment of patients with chronic periodontitis, and provide guidance for clinicians about the application of Er,Cr:YSGG lasers during the process of non-surgical periodontal treatments. The meta-analysis was conducted with data extracted from 16 randomized controlled clinical trials (RCTs) that compare Er,Cr:YSGG lasers adjunct/substitute to scaling and root planing (SRP) with SRP alone for the treatment of chronic periodontitis published in English or Chinese from January 2000 to January 2020. The weighted mean differences (WMDs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were counted for probing depth (PD) reduction, clinical attachment level (CAL) gain, and visual analogue scale (VAS) score. Heterogeneity of each study was evaluated with the Q test. The publication bias was measured using Begg's adjusted rank correlation test. Sixteen RCTs with 606 patients were included in the meta-analysis. There were statistically significant differences between Er,Cr:YSGG lasers adjunct/substitute to SRP and SRP alone in the PD reduction at 1-month follow-up (WMD = ‑ 0.35, 95% CI [- 0.63, ‑ 0.07], P = 0.013), 3-month follow-up (WMD = - 0.342, 95% CI [- 0.552, - 0.132], P = 0.001), CAL gain at 3-month follow-up (WMD = - 0.17, 95% CI [- 0.31, 0.03], P = 0.017), and VAS score (WMD = - 2.395, 95% CI [- 3.327, - 1.464], P = 0.000) immediately after treatment. There were no significant differences of PD reduction and CAL change at 6-month follow-up. The present meta-analysis indicated that Er,Cr:YSGG lasers provided additional effectiveness in PD reduction and CAL gain at short-term follow-ups and there was less pain compared with SRP alone.

Key Findings

The present meta-analysis indicated that Er,Cr:YSGG lasers provided additional effectiveness in PD reduction and CAL gain at short-term follow-ups and there was less pain compared with SRP alone.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population chronic periodontitis
Sample Size 606
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Chronic Periodontitis
  • Humans
  • Lasers, Solid-State
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Treatment Outcome

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis
  • Vertical: chromium

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09