title: Use of therapeutic laser after surgical removal of impacted lower third molars.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of a therapeutic laser in the control of postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus associated with the surgical removal of impacted third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  A double-blind, randomized, controlled clinical trial was conducted in 2 groups of 15 patients each undergoing surgical removal of impacted lower third molars under local anesthesia. The experimental group received 4 J/cm(2) of energy density intraorally and extraorally, with a laser with a diode wavelength of 810 nm and output power of 100 mW in a continuous wave. The control group received only standard management. The degree of postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus was registered for both groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The experimental group exhibited a lower intensity of postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus than the control group, without significant statistical differences. Patients of both groups required rescue medication; however, the time lapse between the end of the surgery and the administration of the medication was shorter for the control group.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The use of therapeutic laser in the postoperative management of patients having surgical removal of impacted third molars, using the protocol of this study, decreases postoperative pain, swelling, and trismus, without statistically significant differences.
authors.affiliation: Service of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Hospital Central, Dr. Ignacio Morones Prieto, San Luis Potosí, Mexico.
authors.forename: E Darío
authors.initials: ED
authors.lastname: Amarillas-Escobar
authors.forename: J Martin
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Toranzo-Fernández
authors.forename: Ricardo
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Martínez-Rider
authors.forename: Miguel A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Noyola-Frías
authors.forename: J Antonio
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Hidalgo-Hurtado
authors.forename: Víctor M Fierro
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Serna
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gordillo-Moscoso
authors.forename: Amaury J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Pozos-Guillén
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004487:Edema / Q000517:prevention & control; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000517:prevention & control; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D014313:Trismus / Q000517:prevention & control; D055815:Young Adult