Hemolaser Therapy Effectively Reduces Interdental Black Spaces and Improves Patient Comfort: Study
Brazil: Researchers have found in a new study that hemolaser therapy significantly reduced interdental black spaces within a short follow-up period and led to improvements in patient discomfort and quality of life over time.
The study, published in Lasers in Medical Science, was conducted by Alessandra Areas e Souza and colleagues from Fluminense Federal University, Nova Friburgo, Brazil. The pilot study aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness, aesthetic impact, and quality of life outcomes of patients undergoing hemolaser therapy (HLT) for the treatment of papillary loss, a condition that results in unsightly black spaces between teeth due to the shrinking of the gum papilla.
Twelve patients were enrolled and divided into two groups. The HLT group (n=6) received gentle stimulation of gingival bleeding using a periodontal curette, followed by a red laser application (660 nm). The control group (n=6) received only the red laser without prior gingival stimulation. The procedure was carried out in two sessions spaced one week apart, and patients were followed up for 180 days.
Based on the study, the researchers reported the following findings:
- Findings from the study demonstrated that hemolaser therapy resulted in a notable decrease in both papillary height and papillary area in the treatment group at both 90 and 180 days post-treatment.
- These reductions in papillary dimensions were statistically significant when compared to the control group, suggesting that the combined use of mechanical gingival stimulation and laser application was more effective than laser treatment alone.
- Improvements in the Modified Papilla Index (MPI), which is used to evaluate the visual appearance and presence of papillary tissue between adjacent teeth, were also observed in the hemolaser therapy group over the same time frame.
- Patients in the hemolaser group demonstrated better MPI scores compared to those in the control group, indicating more visible and measurable regeneration of the interdental papilla.
- In addition to the clinical outcomes, patient-reported results also favored the hemolaser approach.
- Participants undergoing hemolaser therapy reported reduced aesthetic discomfort, as measured by the Visual Analog Scale (VAS), reflecting a greater sense of cosmetic satisfaction.
- These individuals also recorded lower scores on the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14), a validated instrument used to evaluate the effect of oral conditions on overall quality of life.
- These subjective improvements in discomfort and daily life impact were particularly pronounced at the 180-day follow-up and were statistically superior to those reported by participants in the control group.
The results highlight the potential of hemolaser therapy as a promising treatment for managing papillary loss and its associated aesthetic and functional concerns. By facilitating tissue regeneration and improving patient-reported well-being, the therapy may offer a minimally invasive solution to a problem that affects confidence and oral health.
The authors concluded, "While the sample size was small, as is typical in pilot studies, the researchers emphasize that their findings warrant further investigation in larger, long-term clinical trials. Nonetheless, this initial evidence suggests that hemolaser therapy could be a valuable tool in modern periodontal care for enhancing both outcomes and patient satisfaction."
Reference:
Oliveira, L., Novais, L., Fontes, K. et al. Clinical efficacy, aesthetic discomfort, and quality of life in patients undergoing hemolaser therapy for the treatment of papillary loss: a longitudinal pilot study. Lasers Med Sci 40, 315 (2025). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-025-04543-3
