Comparison of Er:YAG Laser and Hand Instrumentation on the Attachment of Cultured Human Gingival Fibroblasts to Periodontally Involved Root Surfaces

BackgroundThe present study compared the effects of Er:YAG laser and hand instrumentation on the attachment of human gingival fibroblast (HGF) cells to periodontally involved root surfaces.MethodsA total of 40 tooth specimens were collected and treated in four distinct groups: scaled and root planed with hand instruments, treated with Er:YAG laser, treated with combination of hand instruments and Er:YAG laser and non-treated control group. The attachment and proliferation rate of HGF were assessed using MTT assay and the Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) Examination was used for cell morphological evaluation.ResultsThe MTT assay showed significantly decrease in HGF cell viability in both hand instruments only and combination treated teeth specimens compared to control specimens (p<0.05), 24 hours after cell seeding. However, at time 48, the cell viability of attached cells in these two treated groups was almost similar to control. In contrast, at 24 and 48 hours after cell seeding, viability of attached cells was higher than control in Er:YAG laser treated only specimens (p<0.05). According to SEM study, the laser treated specimens showed more surface roughness.ConclusionsEr:YAG laser increased attachment and proliferation of HGF cells in comparison with hand instruments method