[Effectiveness of chronic periodontal disease treatment by infrared laser light]

Thirty-six patients with light and moderate chronic periodontal disease (CPD) were included in the study. The patients were divided in two groups according to treatment options: first group (18 patients) received conventional periodontal treatment, second (18 patients) - in addition to conventional treatment were treated by phototherapy (infrared laser light). Control group included 10 persons with no signs of periodontal disease. Treatment effectiveness was assessed by local cytokine profile (IL-1β, IL-1ra, IL-6, IL-10, TNF-α, OPG and RANKL). Increased level of inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6 confirmed pronounced inflammation in periodontal tissues in CPD patients. OPG level was lower than in control group while RANKL level increased significantly. After treatment in both CРD groups TNF-α and IL-6 decrease was observed, IL-1β (had not changed. In the second group RANKL level also decreased dramatically - 6.7-fold compared to its values before treatment.