The Role of Lasers in Periodontal Tissue Regeneration: A Contemporary Review

Abstract

Lasers offer clear adjunctive benefits in regenerative periodontology, including superior hemostasis, effective bacterial reduction, and photobiomodulation that accelerates wound healing. However, their clinical success depends critically on appropriate case selection, wavelength choice, and protocol standardization rather than universal application. Current evidence supports lasers as complementary tools to traditional bone grafts and guided tissue regeneration, not replacements. The bactericidal effects help control persistent infections that compromise regeneration, while photobiomodulation enhances cellular activity and tissue repair. Nevertheless, significant heterogeneity in laser types, power settings, and treatment protocols across studies precludes definitive clinical guidelines. The most promising outcomes emerge when low-level laser therapy is applied for biostimulation and high-power lasers for surgical hemostasis and decontamination, tailored to specific clinical scenarios. Future research must prioritize standardized parameters, adequate control groups, and long-term follow-up to establish evidence-based protocols. Until then, clinicians should view lasers as valuable supportive devices that, when properly integrated, can improve regenerative outcomes, but their use requires careful patient selection and understanding of laser-tissue interactions to avoid overtreatment or suboptimal results.