Limited data is available regarding the effects of various periodontal treatment protocols on GCF t-PA and PAI-1 levels, and the extent to which LLLT in conjunction with NSPT affects these levels in patients with Stage 3-4, Grade C periodontitis is unknown. Therefore, this study measured standard clinical outcomes and GCF t-PA and PAI-1 levels in patients with Stage 3-4 Grade, C periodontitis in order to assess the use of LLLT as an adjunct to standard NSPT.~This split-mouth study was conducted with 15 Stage 3-4, Grade C periodontitis patients and 15 healthy individuals matched for age and sex. Participants were grouped as follows: Periodontitis/NSPT (Sham); Periodontitis/NSPT+LLLT (LLLT); Periodontally Healthy (Control). LLLT was applied following NSPT and again on post-treatment Days 2 and 7. Clinical parameters were recorded at baseline (i.e. before NSPT) and on Day 30. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at baseline and during follow-up visits on Days 7, 14 and 30. GCF t-PA and PAI-1 levels were measured with ELISA.
The present study aimed to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to non-surgical periodontal treatment (NSPT) on the plasminogen-activating system in Stage 3-4, Grade C periodontitis patients.