Comparison of the effect of low level laser therapy with alvogyl on the management of alveolar osteitis

BACKGROUND: This study investigated the efficacy of low level laser therapy (LLLT) for managing alveolar osteitis (AO). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty patients with alveolar osteitis of mandibular third molars were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1, socket irrigation was followed by alvogyl placement, and the treatment was repeated 48 hours later. In group 2, socket was irradiated with a low power red laser for 3 consecutive days (200 mW, 30 seconds on each of the buccal and lingual surfaces and 30 seconds at the middle of the socket, 6 J per area). The subjects in group 3 underwent treatment with a low power infrared laser with the same parameters as group 2. A visual analogue scale (VAS) was used to record the degree of pain at the morning (T0, before intervention) and at 6 (T1) and 12 (T2) hours later for 3 days. RESULTS: Pain was significantly lower in the alvogyl group than the other groups at T1 and T2 points on day 1 and at T0 and T1 points on day 2 (p<0.05). At T2 point on day 2 and on day 3, VAS became significantly lower in the red laser group compared to the other groups (p<0.05). The infrared laser was not more efficacious than the other groups at any of the treatment intervals, but it reduced VAS to an acceptable level. CONCLUSIONS: LLLT displayed good results in this study for treatment of alveolar osteitis and should be further investigated as an alternative to alvogyl for AO management. Key words: Low level laser, low power laser, therapy, alvogyl, dry socket, alveolar osteitis, mandibular third molar.