Comparison of Er: YAG laser and hand instrumentation on the attachment of cultured human gingival fibroblasts to periodontally involved root surfaces

Introduction: the present study compared the effects of erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (er:yag) laser and hand instrumentation on the attachment of human gingival fibroblast (hgf) cells to periodontally involved root surfaces. methods: a total of 40 tooth specimens were collected and treated in four distinct groups: scaled and root planed with hand instruments,scaled with er:yag laser,treated with a 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 scanning electron microscope (sem) examination was used for cell morphological evaluation. results: the mtt (3-[4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl]-2,5 diphenyl tetrazolium bromide) assay showed significant 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 2 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. conclusion: er:yag laser increased attachment and proliferation of hgf cells in comparison to the hand instruments method.