Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Wound Healing and Post-Operative Pain Management of Primary Molar Teeth Extraction: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Background: This study evaluated the effect of low-level laser therapy on postoperative pain and wound healing in children undergoing primary molar extractions. Methods: 40children,6-10years of age, systemically healthy, and had atraumatic extraction indications of bilateral primary molar teeth were included in the study. First session randomly selected tooth was extracted under local anesthesia. In the control group, only the clot formation on the socket was observed and photographed. Other group extraction's performed 2weeks later. The LLLT group treated with980nm wavelength Doctor Smile Wiser diode laser and photographed. Non-epithelialized surface measurements performed with the ImageJ program. Pain assessment was performed with Wong-Baker Pain Scale. Statistical analyzes were performed with SPSS software. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in Wong-Baker values(p>0.05). The laser group had more '0' values on days 1 and7; same values as the control group were recorded on other days. In soft tissue healing 3rd day evaluations, non-epithelialized surface of laser socket was found to be smaller than control group, and measurement results were found to be statistically significant(p<0.05). The other days' measurement results were not statistically significant(p>0.05). Conclusions: Although LLLT not found to be very effective in reducing postoperative discomfort after extraction of primary molars, it provides better wound healing in extraction sockets.