Clinical Evaluation of Laser Therapy Used as an Adjunct to Non-Surgical Treatment of Gum Disease

Inclusion Criteria: * Age 18 years old or older (male or female) * Healthy without systemic diseases that may adversely effect healing * Not pregnant and no current plans to become pregnant * No periodontal treatment in the previous 12 months * No systemic antibiotic therapy in the previous 6 months * At least two quadrants with periodontitis (ideally opposite side same jaw) * Each quadrant must have two or more sites with probing pocket depths ≥ 5mm * Each quadrant should include interproximal intrabony defect(s) Exclusion criteria: * Any systemic disease, medication, or habit known to adversely influence bone metabolism and/or wound healing: * Poorly controlled diabetes (HbA1c \> 7%) * History of bisphosphonate medications * History of radiation therapy affecting the proposed treatment site(s) * History of immunosuppressive medications (e.g. corticosteroids) * History of tobacco use (current or past tobacco use within the past 1 year) * Immune compromise caused by disease, treatment or other condition * Recent history of periodontal surgery (within the previous 2 years) * Recent history of scaling and root planing (within the previous 12 months) * Any condition that contraindicates periodontal therapy including surgery