Assessment of healing and pain response at mandibular third molar extraction sites with and without pre- and postoperative photobiomodulation at red and near-infrared wavelengths: A clinical study

Background: Photobiomodulation (PBM), formerly known as low-level laser therapy, has been successfully used for its anti-inflammatory and analgesic properties in postoperative care. It is also known to have a positive effect on healing and regeneration, at an appropriate power and wavelength. Aim: The main objective was to assess the effect of preoperative as well a postoperative irradiation with low power of 100 milliwatts (mW) and 810-nanometer (nm) (near-infrared) and 660-nanometer(nm) (red) wavelengths on healing as well pain at mandibular third molar extraction sockets. Methodology: Twenty-six patients who were scheduled for mandibular third molar extractions were enrolled in the study and were randomly assigned to the experimental and control group. The experimental group consisted of 13 patients who were subjected to 810-nm irradiation at 100 MW at the site immediately before and after the extraction was completed. In addition, they also received a transcutaneous irradiation of 660-nm wavelength light 1-day postoperatively. The control group received no irradiation immediately after postextraction or the day after. Pain and healing were assessed using the visual analog scale and Turnbull and Howley's Index for soft-tissue healing on the 7th and the 21st days. Data were analyzed using the Mann-Whitney test. Results: The results showed clinically significant improvements in healing index scores and pain scores of the experimental group than the control group (P < 0.0001). Conclusion: PBM at an appropriate wavelength is a potential tool for the management of pain and accelerating healing at mandibular third molar extraction sites.