Is low level laser therapy effective in management of pain and swelling after mandibular third molar surgery

Publication date: Available online 12 March 2016
Source:Journal of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
Author(s): Majid Eshghpour, Farzaneh Ahrari, Mohammad Takallu
PurposeThis study was conducted to evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on reducing pain and swelling following removal of impacted third molars.MethodsThis randomized, double blind, split-mouth designed study included patients presenting two symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars. One side of each participant was randomly assigned to laser treatment and the other side served as placebo. LLLT was performed by intraoral application of a 660 nm laser (200 mW, 6 J/point, 4 points) followed by extraoral application of an 810 nm laser (200 mW, 6 J/point, 3 points). Irradiation from the 810 nm wavelength was repeated on days 2 and 4 after operation. On the placebo side, the treatment protocol was similar to the experimental side but with laser simulation. The main outcomes were measuring the degree of pain over 7 days and calculating the edema coefficients on days 2, 4 and 7 after operation. The data were analyzed using generalized linear models to determine the effect of group and time on pain level and edema coefficients.ResultsThe final sample consisted of 40 patients. Pain level was significantly lower in the laser than the placebo side at all time points over the experiment (p<0.05). Swelling was significantly lower in the laser than the placebo group on days 2, 4 and 7 after operation (p<0.05).ConclusionLLLT proved to be effective in reducing the intensity of pain and swelling after removal of impacted third molars and could be recommended to alleviate patients' symptoms following operation.



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