"Effectiveness of Dual-Wavelength Laser Therapy in Third Molar Extraction Pain, Swelling, and Trismus"

Overview

Objective: To investigate the effects of single session dual wavelength low dose laser therapy to be applied after third molar tooth extraction on postoperative pain, edema and physical activities. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six patients who applied for the extraction of a Class III and position B lower impacted wisdom tooth were included in the study. The patients were divided into 2 groups as laser and control group. Envelope selection method was used for randomization of patients. After the surgery, a single session of double wavelength low-dose laser therapy was applied to the patients. On the 2nd and 7th postoperative days, pain was measured with the VAS scale, edema was measured by face measurements of 3 different points, and quality of life was measured with the modified Posse scale.

Objective and background: Pain, edema, and trismus are common problems after tooth extraction. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) is frequently used as an adjunctive method to reduce these problems. However, there is no consensus in the literature regarding the type, power, session duration, and application frequency of the laser for this treatment method. The aim of this study is to examine the effectiveness of a single-session application of dual-wavelength PBMT (using a 904 nm GaAlAs infrared laser and a 650 nm red laser) on pain, edema, trismus, and the quality of life of patients following impacted mandibular third molar extraction. Methods: The study included patients whose impacted mandibular third molars were to be extracted for prophylactic purposes. The patients were divided into two groups as the PBMT group and the placebo control group. Pain, swelling, maximum mouth opening, and quality of life parameters of the patients were evaluated.