Effect of the Low Power Laser in the Treatment of Pain After the Third Molar Lower Extraction. A Randomised Single-blind Clinical Trial Split-mouth

Introduction: Previously published studies report a prevalence ranging from 35.9% to 58.7% of the general population with at least one impacted wisdom tooth. Surgical extraction of wisdom teeth is the procedure most often associated with postoperative complications, such as pain, swelling, trismus, and oral discomfort during the first postoperative days. These complications arise from an inflammatory response, which is a direct and immediate consequence of the surgical intervention and can limit the patients' daily functions in the recovery phase and compromise their quality of life. Several methods have been used to control postoperative morbidity related to wisdom tooth extraction, including administration of proteolytic enzymes, tube drains, cryotherapy, anti-inflammatory and analgesic drugs and low level laser therapy.

Objectives: To test whether the use of low power laser can improve post-operative pain, swelling and healing of the surgical wound.

Material and methods: A double-centre, randomised, split-mouth, double-centre clinical study will be carried out in 38 patients per centre, totalling 76 patients and 152 wisdom teeth, who will undergo surgery for the extraction of the lower third molars. The necessary data for the study will be taken on the days of the consultation for surgery planning, on the day of surgery, by the patient on each post-operative day and on the 7th post-operative day (at the time of suture removal ).