Laser Therapy Effects on Periodontal Status: A Randomized Study Using Gaussian Network Analysis and Structural Equation Modeling Approach
Codruta Elena Ciurescu,
Lorena Dima,
Vlad Alexandru Ciurescu,
Gratiela Georgiana Noja,
Alin Viorel Istodor,
Marius Alexandru Moga,
Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean,
Laura-Cristina Rusu,
Marius Traian Leretter
Affiliations
Codruta Elena Ciurescu
Department of Fundamental Disciplines and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Medicine Brasov, “Transylvania” University of Brasov, 56 Nicolae Balcescu Str., 500019 Brasov, Romania
Lorena Dima
Department of Fundamental Disciplines and Clinical Prevention, Faculty of Medicine Brasov, “Transylvania” University of Brasov, 56 Nicolae Balcescu Str., 500019 Brasov, Romania
Vlad Alexandru Ciurescu
Faculty of Dental Medicine, “Iuliu Hatieganu” University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 8 Victor Babes Str., 400012 Cluj-Napoca, Romania
Gratiela Georgiana Noja
Department of Marketing and International Economic Relations, Faculty of Economics and Business Administration, West University of Timisoara, 16 Pestalozzi Str., 300115 Timisoara, Romania
Alin Viorel Istodor
First Department of Surgery, Second Discipline of Surgical Semiology, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Marius Alexandru Moga
Department of Medical and Surgical Specialities, Faculty of Medicine, “Transylvania” University of Brasov, 56 Nicolae Balcescu Str., 500019 Brasov, Romania
Lavinia Cosmina Ardelean
Department of Technology of Materials and Devices in Dental Medicine, Multidisciplinary Center for Research, Evaluation, Diagnosis and Therapies in Oral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Laura-Cristina Rusu
Department of Oral Pathology, Multidisciplinary Center for Research, Evaluation, Diagnosis and Therapies in Oral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Marius Traian Leretter
Department of Prosthodontics, Multidisciplinary Center for Research, Evaluation, Diagnosis and Therapies in Oral Medicine, “Victor Babes” University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 2 Eftimie Murgu Sq., 300041 Timisoara, Romania
Background and Objectives: This paper aims to assess the role of laser therapy in periodontitis through an innovative approach involving computational prediction and advanced modeling performed through network analysis (Gaussian graphical models—GGMs) and structural equations (SEM). Materials and Methods: Forty patients, exhibiting periodontal pockets with a minimum depth of 5 mm, were randomly divided into two groups: a control group and a laser group. Four specific indicators were measured for each tooth, namely periodontal pocket depth (PPD), clinical attachment level (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and plaque index (PI), and the mean of six measured values was recorded at five time markers (baseline, 6 months, 1 year, 2 years, and 4 years). The assessment algorithm included enrollment, measurements, and differential non-surgical periodontal treatment, according to the group allocation. Scaling, root planing, and chlorhexidine 1% were conducted for the control group, and scaling, root planing and erbium, chromium:yttrium-scandium-gallium-garnet (Er,CR:YSGG) laser therapy were conducted for the laser group. Results: The main results highlight that the addition of laser treatment to scaling and root planing led to notable clinical improvements, decreasing the PPD values, reducing the BOP scores, and increasing the CAL. Conclusions: Notable relationships between the specific indicators considered were highlighted by both the GGMs and by SEM, thus confirming their suitability as proxies for the success of periodontal treatment.
