Effect of Adjunctive Low-Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing Following Surgical Gingival Depigmentation: A Prospective Study

Introduction Gingival hyperpigmentation is a common esthetic concern managed by surgical depigmentation. However, delayed epithelialization and postoperative discomfort remain challenges. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been suggested as an adjunct for enhancing healing and reducing pain. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of adjunctive LLLT on wound healing and postoperative pain following surgical gingival depigmentation. Methods This prospective observational study included 24 systemically healthy participants with physiological gingival pigmentation. Each participant underwent surgical depigmentation, with selected sites receiving adjunctive LLLT and others serving as the comparison sites. Clinical evaluations were performed on postoperative days 3, 7, and 15. Epithelialization was assessed by the residual wound area (mm²), wound healing was evaluated using a Likert scoring, and pain perception was recorded using a visual analog scale (VAS). Non-parametric tests were applied at a significance level of p < 0.05. Results On day 3, the median epithelialization area was significantly lower in the LLLT-treated sites than in the non-LLLT sites (2.78 [2.05-4.50] vs. 4.68 [2.41-6.86]; p = 0.035). This difference was more pronounced on day 7 (0.35 [0.24-0.56] vs. 0.72 [0.41-1.28]; p < 0.001). By day 15, complete epithelialization was observed in both the groups. The wound healing scores were comparable between the groups at all time points (p > 0.05). VAS pain scores were significantly lower in LLLT-treated sites on day 3 (p = 0.001) and day 7 (p < 0.001), with no difference on day 15 (p = 0.083). Conclusion Adjunctive LLLT promoted faster early epithelialization and reduced postoperative pain following gingival depigmentation. Although overall wound healing outcomes were similar between groups, LLLT appears to be a useful adjunct for improving patient comfort and early healing.