THE EFFECT OF SOFT-LASER APPLICATION ON POSTOPERATIVE PAIN AND SWELLING - A DOUBLE-BLIND, CROSSOVER STUDY

The effect of soft-laser application on postoperative pain and swellin g was evaluated in a double-blind, crossover study. Twenty-five health y adults with bilateral identically impacted lower third molars were s elected for this study. The teeth were removed in two separate operati ons. Laser treatment was tested in comparison with placebo laser, with a 40-mW, 830-nm Biophoton laser (Roenvig Dental, Denmark). All surgic al procedures and measurements were done by the same surgeon. The foll owing features were statistically analyzed: swelling, trismus, and sub jective registration of pain on a visual analog scale. No statisticall y significant differences were observed in comparison of the experimen tal side with the placebo side. It may be concluded that soft-laser tr eatment has no beneficial effect on swelling, trismus, and pain after third molar surgery.