Assessment of healing following low-level laser irradiation after gingivectomy operations using a novel soft tissue healing index: A randomized, double-blind, split-mouth clinical pilot study

BACKGROUND: Lasers have become a part of modern dentistry since the past three decades. A wide-ranging assortment of lasers is being used in periodontology for both soft and hard tissue surgical procedures. Regardless of the frequent practice of using these well-known surgical lasers, there is another lesser familiar class of lasers called the low-level lasers. The main doctrine behind using low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is centered on the biostimulation, or the biomodulation effect, which relies on the dexterity of low-intensity laser energy when irradiated at a specific wavelength, is able to modify cellular activities (increase in cell metabolism and fibroblast and keratinocyte proliferation). AIM: The aim of the present study was to investigate the adjunctive use of LLLT on gingival healing after gingivectomy procedures. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Ten systemically healthy patients requiring gingivectomy or gingivoplasty procedures bilaterally in either the maxillary or mandibular teeth were included in the study. After surgical intervention, a diode laser (810 nm) was randomly activated to one side of the operated area while other side did not receive any treatment and served as the control. The healing index given by Landry et al. was used to evaluate the soft tissue healing immediately postsurgery and at the 3(rd) day, 1 week, and 2 weeks postoperatively. After the follow-up period, results were analyzed using appropriate statistical tests. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference observed in the surface epithelialization between both groups on the 3(rd) and 7(th)-postoperative days, but highly significant differences were observed on the 14(th) day. CONCLUSION: Within the confines of this pilot study, the outcomes have indicated that gingival wound healing may be improved using LLLT after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty operations.