Laser-assisted Pontic Site Soft Tissue Healing Prior to Fixed Partial Denture Rehabilitation

University of Gaziantep45 enrolled

Overview

This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial aimed to evaluate the effect of laser-assisted therapy on soft tissue healing at the pontic site prior to fixed partial denture rehabilitation. Clinical healing outcomes, postoperative pain levels, and gingival crevicular fluid transforming growth factor beta-2 (TGF-β2) levels were assessed to determine the biological and clinical effects of laser therapy compared with placebo.

Delayed or compromised soft tissue healing at the pontic site may prolong prosthetic treatment and negatively affect tissue stability and patient comfort. Photobiomodulation has been reported to enhance wound healing and modulate inflammatory and regenerative processes. This randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the clinical and biological effects of laser-assisted therapy on pontic site healing prior to fixed partial denture rehabilitation. Clinical healing index scores, wound dimensions, postoperative pain levels, and gingival crevicular fluid TGF-β2 levels were assessed to investigate both clinical and biological aspects of healing.

Study Type

INTERVENTIONAL

Allocation

RANDOMIZED

Purpose

TREATMENT

Masking

SINGLE

Enrollment

Conditions

Soft Tissue Healing

Interventions

GRR laserDEVICE

Low-level laser therapy applied once daily for five consecutive days following tooth extraction to enhance soft tissue healing at the pontic site.

Nd:YAG laserDEVICE

Nd:YAG laser therapy applied once daily for five consecutive days following tooth extraction to promote soft tissue healing.

Sham laserOTHER

Placebo laser application performed under identical conditions without energy delivery.

Eligibility

Sex: ALLMin age: 18 YearsMax age: 65 YearsHealthy volunteers:

Medical Language ↔ Plain English

Inclusion Criteria: * Adults aged 18 years or older * Patients requiring single-tooth extraction followed by fixed partial denture rehabilitation * Patients in good general health * Patients willing to participate and able to provide informed consent Exclusion Criteria: * Presence of systemic diseases that may affect wound healing (e.g., uncontrolled diabetes, immunological disorders) * Active periodontal disease at the study site * Use of medications affecting wound healing * Smoking or tobacco use * Pregnancy or lactation * History of radiotherapy in the head and neck region * Known contraindications to laser therapy

Locations (1)

Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry

Gaziantep, Turkey, Turkey (Türkiye)

Outcomes

Primary Outcomes

Clinical healing index (Landry, Turnbull and Howley Healing Index)

Clinical healing was assessed using the Landry, Turnbull and Howley Healing Index, which provides a single composite ordinal score ranging from 1 to 5, where higher scores indicate better soft tissue healing. The score is determined based on clinical evaluation of tissue color, bleeding on palpation, presence of granulation tissue, and degree of epithelialization at the pontic site.

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Day 14

Secondary Outcomes

Wound size reduction

Measurement of wound dimensions at the pontic site to evaluate soft tissue healing.

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Day 14

Postoperative pain (VAS)

Postoperative pain intensity was assessed using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) ranging from 0 to 10, where 0 indicates no pain and 10 indicates the worst imaginable pain. Higher scores indicate greater pain intensity.

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Day 14

Gingival crevicular fluid TGF-β2 levels

Biochemical evaluation of transforming growth factor beta-2 levels in gingival crevicular fluid to assess biological aspects of wound healing.

Time frame: Baseline, Day 7, Day 14

Data from ClinicalTrials.gov

This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.