Frenectomy with conventional scalpel and Nd:YAG laser technique: A comparative evaluation

BACKGROUND: Frenectomy is complete excision of the frenum attachment to the underlying bone. Conventional frenectomy with blade has been widely used; however, laser-assisted frenectomy is the most recent alternative. AIM: The present study aims to compare two methods of frenectomy for the pain experienced, intraoperative bleeding, healing outcome, and need for analgesics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty patients with high labial frenum attachment requiring frenectomy were included in this study. Patients were randomly divided into Group A: scalpel group and Group B: neodymium-doped yttrium aluminum garnet (Nd:YAG) laser group. Visual Analog pain score, intraoperative bleeding, number of analgesics used, and healing outcome 3 months postoperatively were recorded. RESULTS: Group B patients experienced less pain (P = 0.016), less bleeding (P = 0.016), and required fewer number of analgesics (P = 0.008). Healing outcome at 3 months showed no significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.095). CONCLUSION: Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that Nd:YAG laser is an efficient and a more comfortable alternative to scalpel for frenectomy.