Evaluating the Influence of Photobiomodulation in Wound Healing Following Intra-Alveolar Extraction of Tooth: A Double Blinded Split Mouth Study

Aim and objective: The purpose of the study is to assess the efficacy of photobiomodulation (PBM) in wound healing following intra-alveolar extraction of tooth. Patients and methods: This double blinded split mouth study included 62 patients undergoing bilateral extraction of tooth under local anaesthesia. The right arch was assigned as the study group to receive PBM therapy after extraction and the left arch was assigned as the control group. The study group received PBM therapy via a soft tissue diode laser set at wavelength of 980 nm with total exposure time of 90s at non contact mode for each extraction socket. Pain intensity using visual analogue scale and wound healing with laundry et al healing index was recorded at various intervals. Data was statistically analysed using SPSS version 22. Results: In this study we found that there is decrease in pain after extraction following PBM therapy in comparison to the control group which is statistically significant (P = 0.001). The difference in wound healing between the study group and the control group did not show any statistical significance (P > 0.05). Conclusion: Use of PBM therapy of 980 nm wavelength after an undisturbed intra-alveolar extraction of tooth reduces post operative pain with negligible impact on wound healing. Keywords: PBM, extraction, post operative pain, wound healing, Socket healing.