Minimally Invasive Treatment of Infrabony Periodontal Defects Using Dual-Wavelength Laser Therapy

Figure 5

Five cases showing typical results observed. (a) Case : 8 mm pocket on the mesial aspect of tooth 42 before treatment, reduced to 3 mm six months later and radiographic bone fill of the defect visible. (b) Case : 8 mm defect pre-op associated with an infrabony defect on the distal aspect of 42. The gingivae are inflamed and there is also some recession. Post-operatively, the probing depth is 3 mm, with healthy tissues and minimal recession. The post-op radiograph shows infill of bone distally and in the furcation. (c) Case : Pre-op photograph of a 9 mm pocket on the disto-lingual aspect of 37, associated with an infrabony defect as seen on the radiograph. Post-op photograph shows a 2 mm probing depth, with no visible recession having occurred, and the radiograph shows in-fill of bone. (d) Case : Pre-op radiograph shows an infrabony defect on the distal aspect of 47 (defect number 28: probing depth was 15 mm). Post-op radiograph shows bone regeneration in the defect (post-op probing depth was 3 mm). (e) Case : Defect number 31: pre-op probing depth of 9 mm reduced to 4 mm post-op. There is evidence of radiographic bone fill on the radiograph, but a vertical component of the defect remains, which seems to be the one-wall component of the defect.

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