The Effect of Preoperative Low-Level Laser Therapy on Pain, Swelling, and Trismus Associated With Extraction of The Lower Third Molar: A Case Series at The Clinics of The Faculty of Dentistry, Sana'a University, Sana'a City

Background and objectives: Particularly, the most frequent postoperative consequences are thought to be discomfort, edema, and restricted mouth opening. As a biostimulant in the wound healing process, light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation (LASER) has been shown in several studies to be therapeutically helpful. It can also speed up cell and tissue regeneration and reduce postoperative discomfort. The purpose of this study was to assess the impact of low-level laser treatment (LLLT) on postoperative pain, swelling (MPS), MMO, and trismus prior to the extraction of mandibular third molars. Materials and methods: Fifteen patients between the ages of 18 and 45 who had impacted mandibular third molars in comparable locations and were recommended for extraction based on radiographic and clinical evaluations were included in the research. There were two groups of patients: Ten minutes before to surgery, Group 1 had LLLT, while Group 2 (control group) had a standard extraction of an impacted tooth following the application of blue LED light. To evaluate the impact of LLLT on pain, edema, and trismus, measurements were made before surgery as well as 24 hours, 48 hours, and 7 days after surgery. The statistical analysis was conducted using Epi-info version 7. The normality of the distributions was assessed. A t-test was used to compare the control group and the laser treatment group. The criterion for significance was set at p <0.05. Results: The study consist of 23 female (82.14%) and 5 males (17.86%) patients, their mean age equal to 21.34±4.37 years. The results showed no significant difference in visual anisotropy scale (VAS) scores (3.2±4.4 for the laser group versus 3.2±3.9 (p>NS) for the control group) or MMO scores (28.6±2.1 cm for laser group versus 28.8±5.05 cm for the control group). However, a significant difference was observed in oral edema scores (MPS), with an MPS difference score of 25, and the difference was statistically significant at p<0.0001. Conclusion: The study found no significant differences in pain perception contrast VAS and MMO between the laser-treated and control groups, nor did it observe superiority in trismus. However, it did have a significant effect in reducing edema. Further clinical research is required to estimate the longterm efficiency of LLLT in the surgery of maxillofacial.