title: The effect of low-level laser therapy on trismus and facial swelling following surgical extraction of a lower third molar.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on postoperative trismus and edema after the removal of mandibular third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  Thirty-two patients who were to undergo surgical removal of lower third molars were studied. Patients were randomly allocated to two groups, LLLT and placebo. Patients in the LLLT group received 12 J (4 J/cm(2)) low-level laser irradiation to the operative side intraorally 1 cm from the target tissue, and to the masseter muscle extraorally immediately after surgery. In the placebo group the handpiece was inserted into the operative side intraorally and was applied to the masseter muscle extraorally each for 1 min, but laser power was not activated. Inter-incisal opening and facial swelling were evaluated on postoperative days 2 and 7. Student's t-test used to analyze the data.
  
  
  RESULTS
  It was determined that the trismus and the swelling in LLLT group were significantly less than in the placebo group on postoperative days 2 and 7.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Within the limitations of this study it can be concluded that LLLT can be beneficial for the reduction of postoperative trismus and swelling after third molar surgery.
authors.affiliation: Ataturk University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Erzurum, Turkey. mutanhamdi@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Mutan Hamdi
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Aras
authors.forename: Metin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Güngörmüş
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004487:Edema / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D019106:Postoperative Hemorrhage; D014081:Tooth Extraction / Q000009:adverse effects*; D014313:Trismus / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D055815:Young Adult