Effectiveness of low-level diode laser in the management of complications after third-molar surgical extraction

Abstract

Background

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in reducing postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus after extraction of third molars.

Types of Studies Reviewed

The authors conducted a literature search without restriction on dates or language in the following databases: PubMed (MEDLINE), Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials database, Web of Science, and Scopus. They selected only split-mouth randomized clinical trials investigating the use of LLLT and comparing the effectiveness with a placebo group.

Results

The authors identified 803 references and evaluated 131 articles in full text. After this analysis, the authors included 18 articles in this study. The results of the meta-analysis suggest potential efficacy of LLLT in the reduction of postoperative pain (standardized mean difference [SMD], −1.11; 95% CI, −1.63 to −0.58; P < .001) and swelling (SMD, −0.50; 95% CI, −0.88 to −0.11; P = .01) at 48 hours and trismus (SMD, 0.35; 95% CI, 0.16 to 0.53; P = .002) at 7 days after surgery.

Practical Implications

Evidence shows low certainty to indicate the use of LLLT after mandibular third-molar extraction. Future studies with improved methodology are needed to establish its efficacy in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus.