Clinical Assessment of the Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Coronally Advanced Flap Procedure in the Management of Isolated Gingival Recession

The aim of this randomized, controlled split-mouth clinical trial was to assess the effect of LLLT on wound healing after modified coronally advanced flap (MCAF) procedure for treatment of isolated recession-type defects. Fifteen patients with isolated bilaterally symmetrical gingival recessions (Miller's Class I or Class II, or a combination of both) were enrolled in this study. After a modified, coronally advanced flap technique was implemented, a diode laser (810 nm) with a power of 120 mW irradiated the inner surface of the flap and the outer surface of the flap (low-level laser therapy-LLLT) after suturing for 5 min. This was repeated for the following four consecutive days. Descriptive statistics, a Kruskal-Wallis test and a Mann-Whitney test were performed to analyze the data. A p-value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. The mean recession depth decreased from 3.33 +/- 0.9 mm (baseline) to 0.2 +/- 0.3 mm (3 months) and 0.4 +/- 0.2 mm (6 months) in the test group. The mean recession width decreased from 3.8 +/- 0.7 mm (baseline) to 0.2 +/- 0.3 mm (3 months) and 0.5 +/- 0.3 mm (6 months) in the test group. Due to minimal pain and discomfort, patient acceptability was quite high.