Adjunctive effect of 470-nm and 630-nm light-emitting diode irradiation in experimental periodontitis treatment: a preclinical study

Purpose: This study investigated the adjunctive effect of light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in the treatment of experimental periodontitis. Methods: Experimental periodontitis was induced by placing ligatures around the mandibular second, third, and fourth premolars of 6 beagles for 3 months. After ligature removal, periodontitis progressed spontaneously for 2 months. The animals' hemimandibles were allocated among the following 3 groups: 1) no treatment (control), 2) scaling and root planing (SRP), and 3) SRP with LED irradiation at 470-nm and 630-nm wavelengths (SRP/LED). The probing pocket depth (PPD) and gingival recession (GR) were measured at baseline, 6 weeks, and 12 weeks. The clinical attachment level (CAL) was calculated. After 12 weeks, histological and histomorphometric assessments were performed. The distances from the gingival margin to the apical extent of the junctional epithelium (E) and to the connective tissue (CT) attachment were measured, as was the total length of soft tissue (ST). Results: PPD and CAL increased at 12 weeks compared with baseline in the control group (6.31 +/- 0.43 mm to 6.93 +/- 0.50 mm, and 6.46 +/- 0.60 mm to 7.61 +/- 0.78 mm, respectively). PPD and CAL decreased at 12 weeks compared with baseline in the SRP group (6.01 +/- 0.59 to 4.81 +/- 0.65 mm, and 6.51 +/- 0.98 to 5.39 +/- 0.93 mm, respectively). PPD and CAL decreased at 12 weeks compared with baseline in the SRP/LED group (6.03 +/- 0.39 to 4.46 +/- 0.47 mm, and 6.11 +/- 0.47 to 4.78 +/- 0.57 mm, respectively). The E/ST and CT/ST ratios significantly differed among the 3 groups (P<0.05). The clinical parameters and histologic findings demonstrated that 470-nm and 630-nm wavelength LED irradiation accompanying SRP could improve treatment results. Conclusions: Within the study limitations, 470 nm and 630 nm wavelength LED irradiation might provide additional benefits for periodontitis treatment.