Title	Laser Therapy Does Not Produce the Significant Benefits of Decreased Pocket Depth When Compared to Conventional Therapy for Peri-Implantitis
Clinical Question	Does the use of lasers for patients with peri-implantitis result in decreased pocket depth as compared to traditional nonsurgical therapy?
Clinical Bottom Line	There is no significant difference in decreased pocket depth with laser therapy when compared to that of conventional therapy for patients with peri-implantitis.
Best Evidence
PubMed ID Author / Year Patient Group Study type (level of evidence) 24444398 Kotsakis/2014 175 patients with at least one dental implant with peri-implantitis Meta-Analysis Key results Through meta-analysis, there was a mean difference of 0.00 mm (P=0.97, 95% confidence interval = -0.26 to 0.25 mm) for pocket depth after 6 months of treatment between laser therapy and conventional therapy. 24476547 Mailoa/2014 104 patients with at least one dental implant with peri-implantitis Meta-Analysis Key results Through meta-analysis, there was a mean difference of 0.00 mm (P=0.98, 95% confidence interval = -0.18 to 0.19 mm) for pocket depth with laser therapy in comparison to conventional therapy.
Evidence Search	Systematic review, Search “Laser therapy” [MeSH], Search “Peri-implantitis” [MeSH]
Comments on The Evidence	Validity: The two presented articles were systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials that used a comprehensive, detailed search for relevant trials. The included studies were assessed for validity and meta analysis performed. There was low heterogeneity among the studies included in the meta-analysis for both articles. Perspective: Because it was shown that there is no difference in pocket depth after laser therapy vs. conventional therapy for peri-implantitis, it would not be feasible to include laser therapy in the treatment protocol in expectation of a superior result in decreasing pocket depths.
Applicability	The results of laser therapy in treating peri-implantitis do not support this treatment being recommended to patients. Thus, it would not be ideal to apply laser therapy for patients experiencing peri-implantitis due to the increased cost of equipment as well as learning curve of new technologies.
Specialty	(General Dentistry) (Oral Surgery) (Periodontics) (Prosthodontics)
Keywords	dental implants, laser therapy, peri-implantitis, debridement therapy
ID#	2883
Date of submission	04/13/2015
E-mail	Martineza27@livemail.uthscsa.edu
Author	Adam Martinez
Co-author(s)
Co-author(s) e-mail
Faculty mentor	Juanita Lozano-Pineda, DDS, MPH
Faculty mentor e-mail	pinedaj@uthscsa.edu
Basic Science Rationale (Mechanisms that may account for and/or explain the clinical question, i.e. is the answer to the clinical question consistent with basic biological, physical and/or behavioral science principles, laws and research?) None available
Comments and Evidence-Based Updates on the CAT (FOR PRACTICING DENTISTS', FACULTY, RESIDENTS and/or STUDENTS COMMENTS ON PUBLISHED CATs) None available