The Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation Using 940-nm Diode Laser for Reducing Pain, Swelling and Trismus After Third Molar Surgery: A Single-Blinded Randomized Control Trial

Although extraction of impacted third molars is the most commonly done procedure in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, it is followed by postoperative sequalae; like pain, trismus and oedema which affect the patients’ quality of life. The aim of the study was to determine the advantages of using photobiomodulation therapy using 940 nm diode laser after third molar surgery. The null hypothesis was photobiomodulation using 940-nm diode laser has no effect on pain, swelling and trismus after third molar surgery.

A total of 32 patients requiring extraction of impacted third molars reporting to Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, KLE VK Institute of Dental Sciences were randomly allocated to study and control group. Only the patients in the study group were given photobiomodulation therapy at four extraoral and four intraoral points preoperatively, postoperatively and two days after the procedure.

The patients in the study group reported less pain. The mouth opening improved on the second post-operative day as compared to the improvement on the seventh post-operative day in the control group. The difference in swelling though clinically evident was not significant statistically.

Photobiomodulation is a promising modality to reduce the post-operative pain and trismus. Patients in the study group returned to normal function sooner than the control group. Photobiomodulation is a newer non-invasive modality to reduce the post-operative sequalae after third molar surgery.

Clinical Trial Registration: The trial is registered at ctri.nic.in with the number CTRI/2022/02/040615 on 25th February 2022.