Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy after surgical removal of impacted mandibular third molars: A randomized clinical trial

INTRODUCTION: The low-level laser therapy has been accepted globally as cell bio-modulator, used to reach ideal therapeutic effects, acting in the reduction of the pain response, with anti-inflammatory effects, stimulating local micro-circulation and wounds repair, promoting a rapid recovery, which brings a better quality of life to the patient. In this study, we aim to to determine the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy on reducing the pain and swelling after removal of impacted third molars. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this present prospective randomized clinical study, third molar surgeries were performed in thirty patients who were divided into two equal groups (placebo group and study group) a placebo group with routine treatment and a study group with low-level laser therapy which was applied both intraorally and extraorally after the surgical extraction of mandibular third molar. RESULTS: The parameters such as postoperative pain, edema, and trismus were assessed on 1(st) and 7(th) day. All these parameters showed statistically significant results in patients with low-level laser therapy. CONCLUSIONS: Low-level laser therapy was effective in reducing the postoperative pain, edema, and trismus in the third molar surgeries.