Effect of Low Level Laser Therapy on post operative pain after clinical crown lengthening surgery

Abstract

Introduction: Laser therapy is one of the novel techniques used for reducing pain in different surgeries and procedures. The aim of this study is to asses the effect of low level laser therapy(LLLT) on post operative pain following crown lengthening surgery.

Materials and methods: In this one way blind randomized clinical trial, 20 patients visiting the periodontology clinic of dentistry faculty of Tabriz University of Medical Sciences; seeking crown lengthening surgery were selected. The patients that fulfilled the exclusion and inclusion criteria were selected. The patients were randomly divided into control and study groups. All surgeries were done following the same protocol. The patients were blinded to the intervention. The laser used was a GaAlAs diode laser with a wave length of 810 nm and power of 100 mws. In the study group, LLLT was done in the day of surgery, 3 days and 7 days after surgery. In the control group the same routine was used but the laser was not activated. Duration of radiation for each session was 40 seconds. All safety measures regarding safe use of the laser were followed. The patient response to pain was recorded using the visual analogue scale(VAS) in the days 1,3 and 7 after surgery. Also the amount of pain relieving medications taken by the patients were recorded in the days 1,3 and 7 after surgery. Statistical analysis was done using SPSS 20 and one way ANOVA.

Results: In both study and control groups, pain was significantly reduced from day 1 to day 7. The amount of pain in the days 1 and 7 was similar in both groups but statistically significant difference(P≤0.05) was observed in the third day after surgery. The average of pain relieving medications taken were similar in both groups.

Conclusion: Low level laser therapy causes significant reduction in post operative pain in day 3 after crown lengthening surgery.