Objective: This randomized controlled double-blinded split mouth study sought to compare the levels of dentinal hypersensitivity (DH) and pain after 660 nm laser irradiation in test and control sites following periodontal flap surgery.
Background data: Dentinal hypersensitivity and pain are the two main causes of discomfort after periodontal flap surgery. The analgesic and desensitising property of low-level lasers can be used to reduce postoperative complications following periodontal flap surgery.
Materials and methods: Thirty patients were enrolled in this study. Periodontal flap surgery was performed on 60 sites. The test site was randomly determined for laser irradiation, and was irradiated by a sweeping motion of 660 nm laser (25 mW, 4.5 J) for 3 min for 3 consecutive days. The control site served as a placebo. Although the laser was used in a similar motion in the control sites, it was not activated postoperatively. A visual analogue scale (VAS) and verbal rating scale (VRS) for pain and DH were recorded for both sites in each patient, on the 1st, 3rd, 5th, and 7th days following flap surgery.
Results: There was statistically significant decrease in both DH and pain in the laser-irradiated site on the 7th day following periodontal flap surgery, as compared with the control site (p<0.05).
Conclusions: Postoperative DH and pain following periodontal surgery can be reduced by using low-level laser therapy.