Effects of low-level laser therapy as an adjunct to standard therapy in acute pericoronitis, and its impact on oral health-related quality of life.

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) as an adjunct to standard therapy in acute pericoronitis.

METHODS:

Eighty acute pericoronitis patients were randomly assigned to one of four LLLT groups: (neodymium:yttrium-aluminum garnet [Nd:YAG] 1064-nm: n=20, 8 J/cm2, 0.25 W, 10 Hz, 10 sec; 808-nm diode: n=20, 8 J/cm2, 0.25 W, continuous mode, 10 sec; 660-nm diode: n=20, 8 J/cm2, 0.04 W, continuous mode, 60 sec; or a placebo laser control group: n=20). After standard treatment, LLLT or a placebo laser were applied to the treatment area at a distance of 1 cm from the buccal site. Interincisal opening, pain perception, and oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) were evaluated at baseline, 24 h, and 7 days after laser application. The data were analyzed by the one-way ANOVA test.

RESULTS:

We found that the trismus and the OHRQoL in the Nd:YAG and the 808-nm diode groups were significantly improved when compared with the 660-nm diode and control groups at 24 h (p<0.05). No statistically significant differences were detected on day 7 among the groups with regard to any of the parameters evaluated.

CONCLUSIONS:

The results demonstrate that both the 1064-nm Nd:YAG and the 808-nm diode lasers were effective in improving trismus and OHRQoL in acute pericoronitis. Taking into account the limitations of this study, we conclude that the 1064-nm Nd:YAG laser has biostimulatory effects and improves OHRQoL, making it suitable for LLLT.

• Authors: Ufuk Sezer, Abubekir Eltas, Kemal Ustün, Süleyman Ziya Senyurt, Kamile Erciyas, Mutan Hamdi Aras
• Journal: Photomedicine and laser surgery (Photomed Laser Surg) Vol. 30 Issue 10 Pg. 592-7 (Oct 2012) ISSN: 1557-8550 [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 22974370 (Publication Type: Comparative Study, Journal Article, Randomized Controlled Trial)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Analysis of Variance
• Female
• Follow-Up Studies
• Humans
• Lasers, Semiconductor (therapeutic use)
• Lasers, Solid-State (therapeutic use)
• Low-Level Light Therapy (methods)
• Male
• Oral Health
• Pericoronitis (diagnosis, radiotherapy)
• Quality of Life
• Reference Values
• Risk Assessment
• Severity of Illness Index
• Treatment Outcome
• Young Adult