title: Assessing Health-Related Quality of Life with Antimicrobial Photodynamic Therapy (APDT) and Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) after Third Molar Removal.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate the antimicrobial photodynamic therapy (APDT) and low level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing, pain intensity, swelling problems, halitosis and the postoperative usage of analgesics after surgical removal of lower third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and fifty patients, randomly divided into three groups were selected (50 per each group). The P1 group received the APDT after a third molar surgery, the P2 group received the LLLT and the C group (control group) was without any additional therapy after surgery. A photoactive substance was applied in the APDT study group before suturing. After 60 seconds the photosensitive substance was thoroughly washed with saline water and the laser light was applied in two intervals (30 seconds each). The irradiation power was 50 mW while the wavelength was 660 nm. The laser therapy in P2 group was performed before suturing and the laser light was applied also in two intervals (90 seconds each), the irradiation power was 90 mW while the wavelength was the same as in the first group - 660 nm. Postoperative follow-ups were scheduled on the third and the seventh day in patients who received laser therapy.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results of the postoperative evaluation showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the postoperative wound healing, pain intensity, swelling problems, halitosis and analgesics intake between patients in all three groups (p<0.001). The patients that were subjected to APDT (P1) had the least postoperative problems. After the laser therapy (P1 and P2) wound healing was without any complications, opposite from the patients from the C group (p<0.001). Postoperative application of a laser therapy significantly reduced patient's use of analgesics over the observed period of time (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Both modalities of laser therapy significantly reduced postoperative problems after surgical removal of third lower molars with the best results in both laser groups.
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Goran
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Batinjan
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Irina
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Filipović Zore
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ivana
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Rupić
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Endodontics and Restorative Dentistry, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Ivona
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Bago Jurič
authors.affiliation: University Clinical Hospital Center, Sisters of Mercy, Department of Surgical Oncology, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Zvonimir
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Zore
authors.affiliation: University of Zagreb, School of Dental Medicine, Department of Oral Surgery, Zagreb, Croatia.
authors.forename: Dragana
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Gabrić Pandurić
keywords: diode laser; low level laser therapy; photodynamic therapy; postoperative complications