Effectiveness of the Application of 980-nm Wavelength Laser Radiation in Vestibuloplasty in the Area of Installed Dental Implants

BACKGROUND: Deficient width of attached keratinized mucosa and high muscle attachment can contribute to postoperative complications following dental implantation. These complications not only lead to esthetic concerns but also increase the risk of implant failure due to plaque accumulation in the cervical area of prosthetic components and bacterial biofilm formation on the exposed rough titanium surface. One of the methods for forming a buffer zone of keratinized mucosa is vestibuloplasty using a free gingival graft. Given the recognized advantages of high-intensity lasers, comparative analysis of effectiveness of surgical tools for soft tissue alteration is of interest. AIM: This study aimed to improve the effectiveness of surgical treatment for patients with a deficient width of attached keratinized mucosa around dental implants using a 980-nm diode laser. METHODS: It was a prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal, single-center parallel-group study. The study enrolled 20 patients (10 women and 10 men aged 32–66 years, matched for sex and age, mean age 47.3 years) with a deficient width of attached keratinized mucosa around dental implants. Patients were divided into two groups: the experimental group (n = 10), treated using a diode laser, and the comparison group (n = 10), treated with conventional cutting instruments. Throughout the treatment, collateral edema, mucosal hyperemia, and pain intensity were assessed. At 3 months after prosthesis fixation, the width of attached keratinized mucosa was measured. RESULTS: Both surgical methods significantly increased the width of attached keratinized mucosa compared to baseline. The mean gain in the scalpel group was 2.29 ± 1.10 mm, while in the laser group it was 2.88 ± 1.12 mm (p 0.045). Pairwise comparisons of pain, collateral edema, and hyperemia during follow-up using the independent samples t-test revealed statistically significant differences between the groups. The obtained data indicate more pronounced pain symptoms and inflammatory response in the scalpel group. CONCLUSION: Laser technologies in vestibuloplasty improve surgical outcomes in patients with a deficient width of attached keratinized mucosa around dental implants. Compared with traditional scalpel surgery, laser-assisted procedures offer more favorable postoperative recovery and a statistically significant greater increase in keratinized gingiva width around dental implants.