Assessment of Low-Level Laser Therapy Effects After Extraction of Impacted Lower Third Molar Surgery

Abstract Introduction: The aim of this study was to assess the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain, swelling and maximum mouth opening in patients undergoing third molar surgery.Methods: A prospective, randomized double-blind study was undertaken on ۴۴ patients at the Dental School, Ahvaz Jundishapur University of Medical Sciences, in ۲۰۱۵. A low-level laser was randomly applied on one of the two sides after surgery of ۱۵ patients. The experimental side received ۱۸ J/cm۲ of energy density, wavelength of ۹۸۰ nm, and output power of ۱.۸ W. On the control side, a hand-piece was applied intra-orally, but laser was not activated. In addition, in order to evaluate trismus, ۱۳ patients were treated by unilateral laser therapy and ۱۶ patients did not receive laser therapy at all. The laser was administered intraorally on two points of vestibular and lingual sides at ۱ cm from the surgery site, and extraorally at the emergence of the masseter muscle, immediately after surgery, and repeated ۲۴ hours later. The pain, swelling and maximum mouth opening (MMO) were compared between the two groups at ۲۴ hours and a week after surgery.Results: The mean score of pain ۲۴ hours after surgery in the laser therapy group (۲.۳ ± ۳.۵) was significantly lower than the mean score of pain in the drug therapy (۴.۱۹ ± ۳.۰۹) (P = ۰.۰۳۶). Moreover, the mean score of pain at one week after surgery in the laser therapy group (۰.۱۳ ± ۲.۳۳) was significantly lower than the drug therapy group (۱.۴۳ ± ۲.۴۵) (P = ۰.۰۴۶). The amount of swelling according to different measurements did not significantly differ between the two groups neither at ۲۴ hours nor at ۱ week after surgery.Conclusion: Our findings showed that LLLT was useful in reducing pain and could slightly reduce swelling compared to drug therapy in impacted third molar surgery. Keywords: Third molar Laser therapy Pain Swelling Maximum mouth opening.