Low-level laser and management of common complications after the mandibular third molar surgery: A double-blind randomized clinical trial

BACKGROUND: There are controversies on the analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects of low-level laser therapy on pain, edema, and trismus after mandibular third molar extraction surgery. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on discomforts occurring after the mandibular wisdom tooth removal. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This double-blind, split-mouth design, randomized clinical trial study was performed on 36 healthy controls with bilateral symmetrical mandibular third molar referred to the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery of Dental Faculty from January to November 2019. After surgical extraction, the laser group underwent laser (Ga-Al-As diode laser, 808 nm, 200 mW) intraorally and extraorally just after surgery and 24 h after surgery. For the placebo group, the handpiece was inserted without laser irradiation. The pain level was assessed by Baker Wong scale at 2, 4, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48, and 60 h postoperatively, and the edema and the extent of mouth opening were examined before surgery, at the 1(st) and 7(th) days after surgery. The data were collected and analyzed by SPSS at the significant level of 0.05. RESULTS: The statistical analysis of 32 participants’ data (laser group: n = 32, placebo group: n = 32) indicated that the mean score of pain in 3 days after surgery in the interventional group was significantly lower than the score of the placebo group (P < 0.001). Furthermore, the swelling and the extent of the mouth opening differed significantly between the two groups at 1(st) and 7(th) days after the procedure (P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the LLLT had beneficial effects on the management of pain, edema, and trismus following after 3(rd) molar extraction surgery.