Nd:YAG Laser Application Enhances Wound Healing After Gingivectomy: A Histopathological Evaluation

Authors : Onural Butay Öztürk, Alparslan Dilsiz

Pages : 657-63

View : 40 | Download : 51

Publication Date : 2025-09-09

Article Type : Research Paper

Abstract :Aim: Nd:YAG laser therapy is known for its stimulatory and wound-healing acceleration effects and antimicrobial efficacy by eliminating periodontal pathogens and stimulating fibroblasts. This study aims to histopathologically evaluate the impact of Nd:YAG laser treatment applied after gingivectomy/plasty on wound healing in patients with chronic inflammatory gingival hyperplasia. Material and Method: This study included 25 systemically healthy individuals with chronic inflammatory gingival hyperplasia. The areas receiving Nd:YAG laser and gingivectomy/plasty were randomly assigned to the test group. In contrast, regions receiving only gingivectomy/plasty were assigned to the control group. Clinical periodontal measurements, including Plaque Index (PI), Gingival Index (GI), Bleeding on Probing (BOP), Probing Pocket Depth (PPD), and Clinical Attachment Level (CAL), were obtained before and after initial periodontal therapy (IPT) and after gingivectomy/plasty. Superficial Cell Index (SCI) and Keratinization Index (KI) were determined through histopathological examination of gingival tissue samples obtained by exfoliative cytology before and after Nd:YAG laser treatment. Results: Significant reductions were observed in clinical periodontal measurements (PI, GI, BOP, PPD) after IPT compared to baseline values (P<0.05). A decrease was also noted in clinical periodontal measurements after gingivectomy/plasty (P<0.05). When SCIs and KIs were assessed, a decrease was observed on the first day post-gingivectomy/plasty, followed by an increase in both groups, with a more pronounced increase in the Nd:YAG laser group (P<0.05). Conclusion: Similar to the association between IPT and periodontal measurements, Nd:YAG laser treatment following gingivectomy/plasty significantly affected the gingival tissue SCI and KI, positively influencing clinical periodontal healing over time.
Keywords : Gingival hyperplasia, Nd:YAG laser, superficial cell index, keratinization index, gingivectomy

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