Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Pain Reduction and Healing Acceleration after Undisturbed Tooth Extraction

Abstract

Tooth extraction considered to be a commonly performed procedure in the developing countries, in which it has a great effect of general health, quality of life and socioeconomic status. Despite of being preventable, there are many causes of tooth extraction including caries, periodontal disease, failed endodontic treatment and fractures. This associated with some complications such as pain, bleeding, failure of socket healing. Further, in extreme rare cases tooth extraction can lead to osteomyelitis of the jaw bone. Laser therapy has a long history of medical uses and has shown promise in dental treatments. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a significant branch of medicine where low-power lasers are used on living tissues to stimulate and improve cell function or relieve pain. Several studies have confirmed the reduction of pain, swelling, improvement of revascularization and wound healing. Several studies have shown that after surgical removal of the lower third of the molars, laser treatment had a beneficial effect on reducing pain, edema and trismus. This study aims to evaluate the use of two different wavelengths of low-level laser in reducing pain and bleeding after tooth extraction. Thirty patients participated in the study in which 15 patients treated by a 980 nm diode low-level laser, and the other 15 patients treated by 650 nm diode low-level laser. The results of the present study showed that the diode low-level laser with a wavelength of 980 nm was significantly reduced pain and bleeding in comparison with diode laser 650 nm.