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Date of Award
Spring 2026
Degree Name
Master of Public Health
Department
Community & Global Public Health; College of Health Sciences
First Advisor
Suzanne Redington, DrPH, MPH, CPH
Abstract
Background: Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can cause irreversible bone loss and damage, with links to systemic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. There is growing concern for evidence-based treatment needs and recommendations.
Purpose: To conduct a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA to assess if the addition of Er:YAG laser therapy leads to statistically significant improvements compared to scaling and root planning (SRP) alone, to contribute to an updated understanding of evidence-based periodontal therapy treatment options.
Methods: Thirteen articles were included following PRISMA guidelines, including randomized controlled trials from EBSCO Host and PubMed published in 2015-2025 and peer reviewed. Descriptive statistics and results of key outcome variables were evaluated to identify patterns and to assess the changes in systemic and periodontal measures over the follow-up period. These changes were compared between patients treated with SRP alone and those treated with Er:YAG laser therapy to determine the impact on dental and systemic health.
Results: Primary outcomes included are probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), cytokines and interleukins, and bacterial DNA samples. Greater reductions in PD and CAL were found with Er:YAG laser treatment in nine of the studies, along with greater improvements in biologic variables, although statistical significance varied across studies. This suggests that a more effective treatment, such as Er:YAG laser therapy compared to SRP alone, may support greater systemic benefits.
Conclusion: Further research through additional randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses is recommended.
Recommended Citation
Tsiouras, Kristina, "Advancing Oral Health Equity: Systematic Literature Review of Laser Therapy in Periodontitis Management" (2026). Capstone Showcase. 1.
https://scholarworks.arcadia.edu/showcase/2026/public_health/1
Advancing Oral Health Equity: Systematic Literature Review of Laser Therapy in Periodontitis Management
Background: Periodontal disease, if left untreated, can cause irreversible bone loss and damage, with links to systemic conditions such as diabetes and heart disease. There is growing concern for evidence-based treatment needs and recommendations.
Purpose: To conduct a systematic literature review guided by PRISMA to assess if the addition of Er:YAG laser therapy leads to statistically significant improvements compared to scaling and root planning (SRP) alone, to contribute to an updated understanding of evidence-based periodontal therapy treatment options.
Methods: Thirteen articles were included following PRISMA guidelines, including randomized controlled trials from EBSCO Host and PubMed published in 2015-2025 and peer reviewed. Descriptive statistics and results of key outcome variables were evaluated to identify patterns and to assess the changes in systemic and periodontal measures over the follow-up period. These changes were compared between patients treated with SRP alone and those treated with Er:YAG laser therapy to determine the impact on dental and systemic health.
Results: Primary outcomes included are probing depth (PD), clinical attachment level (CAL), cytokines and interleukins, and bacterial DNA samples. Greater reductions in PD and CAL were found with Er:YAG laser treatment in nine of the studies, along with greater improvements in biologic variables, although statistical significance varied across studies. This suggests that a more effective treatment, such as Er:YAG laser therapy compared to SRP alone, may support greater systemic benefits.
Conclusion: Further research through additional randomized controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses is recommended.