The Effect of Low-Level 980-810 nm Diode Laser on Postoperative Pain of Crown Lengthening Surgery

Abstract

INTRODUCTION Low-level laser therapy is utilized to manage postoperative pain after periodontal surgery. This study investigated the impact of low-level diode lasers at 980 and 810 nm on postoperative pain following surgical crown lengthening procedures. METHOD This single-blind clinical trial and split-mouth study was conducted on 20 patients who needed bilateral crown lengthening in maxillary premolar teeth. Among samples, one side of the maxilla was randomly chosen for laser treatment and the other one for the control group. As soon as the operation was completed, the dual laser was simultaneously irradiated with 980 and 810 nm wavelengths in the test group's treatment area. Pain intensity was evaluated based on the number of analgesic capsules consumed by patients and through a visual analog scale. The data were analyzed using SPSS software version 26 through repeated measures ANOVA, paired t-test and Wilcoxon (P<0.05). RESULTS On days one (p=0.002), two (p=0.003) and four (p=0.033), the mean pain intensity measured by VAS was significantly lower for patients following the crown lengthening surgery in the laser group compared to controls. The mean number of analgesics consumed by patients was significantly lower in the low-level laser group than the control group on days 1 (p=0.003), 2 (p=0.042) and 4 (p=0.033). Finally, pain intensity and the number of analgesics consumed by patients significantly decreased in both the control and laser groups from day 1 to day 7 (p<0.001). CONCLUSION Simultaneous irradiation of low-level diode 980 and 810 nm lasers led to a notable decrease in pain intensity and number of analgesics used after crown lengthening respective surgery.