Abstract
Introduction Periodontitis is a complex interplay of bacterial infection and host response. Non-surgical periodontal therapy (NSPT) is effective but limited in thoroughly debriding challenging areas, often leading to recurrent bacterial colonization. Photobiomodulation (PBM), involving precise doses of laser photonic energy, has shown potential in modulating inflammation and promoting healing. This study investigates the impact of NSPT alone and NSPT combined with PBM on clinical parameters and salivary macrophage inflammatory protein-1α (MIP-1α) levels in periodontitis patients. Methods Ethical approval was obtained, and informed consent was secured from all participants. Sixty periodontitis patients aged 30-60 were selected and divided into two groups: Group 1 (NSPT alone) and Group 2 (NSPT with PBM). Clinical parameters including the plaque index (PI), gingival index (GI), probing pocket depth (PPD), and clinical attachment level (CAL) were assessed at baseline and 21 days post-treatment. Salivary MIP-1α levels were measured using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Results Both groups showed significant improvements in the PI, GI, PPD, and CAL from baseline to 21 days post-treatment. Group 2 exhibited greater reductions in the GI, PPD, and CAL compared to Group 1. Salivary MIP-1α levels post-intervention showed reduction in both groups but were not statistically significant between the groups. Conclusion NSPT combined with PBM demonstrates greater clinical improvements than NSPT alone, highlighting PBM as an effective adjunctive therapy. Both groups showed a reduction in MIP-1α levels post-intervention, suggesting the potential of MIP-1α as a biomarker for periodontal disease activity.