Abstract: Objective To evaluate the short-term clinical outcome of Er, Cr:YSGG laser in the treatment of chronic periodontitis. Methods A total of 20 participants diagnosed with moderate to severe chronic periodontitis were enrolled in our department. This research was conducted by a split-month design. For each participant, one arch side was treated with Er, Cr:YSGG laser, and the other side was treated with conventional SRP (hand curettes). The changes in CAL, PD, and percentage of BOP(+) between the two novel therapies were evaluated 1 and 3 months postoperatively. The pain and discomfort of patients during treatments were evaluated using VAS analogue. Results All the participants were well tolerated by both treatments. There was no major side effect of laser treatment. For VAS, there was no statistical difference between the two treatments. In the 1-month follow-up, percentage of BOP(+) was significantly increased in Er, Cr:YSGG laser group, from 45% to 12%. And in SRP group, percentage of BOP(+) decreased from 43% to 13%. The clinical outcomes in both groups were significantly improved 1 month postoperatively compared with baselines (P < 0.05). In the 3-month follow-up, the clinical outcomes were sustainable. However, there was no difference in changes of clinical outcomes between laser and SRP treatment (P > 0.05). Conclusion With its advantages over conventional SRP and similar clinical effects to SRP, Er, Cr:YSGG laser can be considered as a reliable method in the treatment of chronic periodontitis.

Key words: Er，Cr:YSGG laser, chronic periodontitis, SRP, Non-surgical periodontitis