The objective of this clinical investigation is to examine the impact of Nd:YAG laser therapy on oxidative stress and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels in teeth afflicted with apical periodontitis. Samples were collected from patients who had undergone treatment with the Nd:YAG laser and compared with samples collected from patients who had not received this treatment. The study commenced with a sample of 60 patients. However, the study was completed with 58 patients. The study concluded with the following finding: the use of Nd:YAG lasers was not found to be superior.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients aged between 25 and 50 years and classified as American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) I. The maxillar and mandibular incisors and premolars with chronic apical periodontitis of a PAI score of 3 or 4 were included.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification II or higher, pregnant, patients with localised or generalised periodontitis, patients who had used antibiotics in the last month and anti-inflammatory drugs in the last week, smokers, and teeth with internal or external root resorption, swelling, palpation pain or fistula in the relevant area, root fracture or incomplete root formation, and teeth that could not be isolated with rubber dam were not included in the study.

biologically male and female patients

The study groups comprised of patients who had applied to the Department of Endodontics at the Faculty of Dentistry at Kırıkkale University and that underwent endodontic treatment from 15 February 2024 to 15 October 2024.