title: Is Low-Level Laser Therapy Effective in the Management of Pain and Swelling After Mandibular Third Molar Surgery?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study evaluated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on decreasing pain and swelling after removal of impacted third molars.
  
  
  METHODS
  This randomized, double-blinded, split-mouth study included patients presenting 2 symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars. In each participant, one side was randomly assigned to laser treatment and the other side received placebo. LLLT was performed by intraoral application of a 660-nm laser (200 mW, 6 J per point at 4 points) followed by extraoral application of an 810-nm laser (200 mW, 6 J per point at 3 points). Irradiation at the 810-nm wavelength was repeated on days 2 and 4 after surgery. On the control side, the treatment protocol was similar to the experimental side, but with laser simulation. The main outcomes were the degree of pain during the next 7 days and the edema coefficients on days 2, 4, and 7 after surgery. Data were analyzed using generalized linear models to determine the effect of group and time on pain level and edema coefficients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The final sample consisted of 40 patients. Pain level was significantly lower in the laser than in the placebo side at all time points during the experiment (P < .05). Swelling was significantly lower in the laser than in the placebo group on days 2, 4, and 7 after surgery (P < .05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  LLLT proved effective in decreasing the intensity of pain and swelling after removal of impacted third molars and can be recommended to alleviate patients' symptoms after surgery.
authors.affiliation: Associate Professor of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Majid
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Eshghpour
authors.affiliation: Assistant Professor of Orthodontics, Dental Research Center, School of Dentistry, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. Electronic address: Farzaneh.Ahrari@Gmail.com.
authors.forename: Farzaneh
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Ahrari
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Mohammad
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Takallu
mesh_terms: D004311:Double-Blind Method; D004487:Edema / Q000532:radiotherapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods; D008297:Male; D008964:Molar, Third / Q000601:surgery*; D059408:Pain Management; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D055815:Young Adult