MMP8 and periodontitis: In the present study, the Nd:YAG laser was chosen over the diode laser due to its reported better efficacy in reduction of dentin hypersensitivity.31 We showed that the combined treatment can statistically significantly reduce the amount of dental plaque (reduced PLI), improve the patients’ ability to maintain optimal plaque control (reduced PD), prevent the loss of periodontal tissue support in periodontitis (reduced CAL) and decrease gingival inflammation (reduced BI and increased melatonin and MMP-8 levels).