Evaluation of a low-level laser protocol for the control of postoperative pain, trismus, and edema in retained third molar surgeries

This split mouth double-blind randomized trial was aimed to evaluate the effect of low‑level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain, trismus, and swelling used in the postoperative period of surgery of third molars retained. Fifteen patients with symmetrically impacted mandibular third molars were randomized in two groups: LLLT group received only single‑dose intraoral and extraoral immediately after surgery; another group, received LLLT placebo on the other side. They were evaluated on the second and seventh days after surgery, the pain was evaluated in the first day too. There was no statistical difference in trismus, edema and pain between groups when examining data in the postoperative period of one, two or seven days. The pain level was significantly lower from the first day to seventh day in both groups. The laser group presented a delay or decreasing use of analgesics in the first postoperative day. Despite the statistically insignificant difference results, clinically it has been observed improvement of symptoms of discomfort related by patients. The results suggest that further studies are necessary for protocols consolidation and suggest explore combinations of photodynamic therapies.