title: The clinical effect of LLLT in endodontic surgery: a prospective study on 72 cases.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate a possible clinical benefit of LLLT in endodontic surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Seventy-two endosurgery cases on incisors and premolars were included to the study and were split randomly into an LLLT test group, a placebo group, and a control group. In the LLLT group, irradiation was performed intraoperatively and postoperatively 1, 3, and 7 days after surgery. In the placebo group, irradiation was performed without laser activation. In the control group, neither LLLT nor placebo therapy was used. Swelling, wound healing, and pain were evaluated by a blinded investigator 1, 3, and 7 days postoperatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  No statistically relevant differences between the LLLT and the placebo groups were found. Patients in the control group reported on statistically relevant stronger pain.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In routine endodontic surgery cases, LLLT does not achieve a significant clinical benefit. Further, the results indicate a prominent placebo effect of the soft laser therapy.
authors.affiliation: The Department for Oral Surgery and Radiology, Dental School, Medical University Graz, Graz, Austria. payermi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Payer
authors.forename: Norbert
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Jakse
authors.forename: Christoph
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pertl
authors.forename: Astrid
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Truschnegg
authors.forename: Evelyn
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lechner
authors.forename: Antranik
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Eskici
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001047:Apicoectomy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007430:Intraoperative Care; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D010484:Periapical Granuloma / Q000601:surgery*; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000517:prevention & control*; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012184:Retrograde Obturation; D016037:Single-Blind Method