Effect of 810nm Diode Laser on Post-operative Pain Adjunct to Periodontal Flap Surgery.

Introduction: Surgical lasers have been used in periodontal therapy. The anti-pain mechanism of low-level laser is not yet clear however, numerous studies have pointed out the physiological changes from light interference with various cells as the cause. Low-level laser can also modify the inflammatory process in a dose-related mechanism; and thus, it can reduce the inflammatory pain.2 Methodology: A sample of 10 systemically healthy subjects aged 30-60 years diagnosed with chronic periodontitis having a probing pocket depth ≥5mm and clinical attachment loss ≥4mm bilaterally in the region of the maxillary first premolar, second premolar and first molar were recruited from the out-patient, Department of Periodontics, A.B.Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences. The subjects were blinded as to which surgical site received the laser therapy following conventional periodontal flap surgery (Test Group). The subjects were recalled one week after scaling and root planing for the periodontal flap surgery. At the baseline visit, the contralateral surgical sites were randomly assigned to the control group or the test groups using a coin-flip. In the test group, following the removal of soft deposits through scaling and root planing, the laser probe of 0.8W CW diode was used in a light contact, sweeping mode to cover the entire inner surface of the flap. Ablation was carried out from base of the flap to its coronal portion. Results-Median pain score did not differ significantly between the test and the control at 0 day, 1day, 2day and 5 day (P>0.05),day7 (P=0.087). Friedman test showed overall there was significant difference in pain score from o day to day7 test. Pain score differs significantly from day 0 to day7 (P<0.05), day1 to day7 (P<0.05), day2 to day7 (P<0.05) except day5 to day7 (P>0.05) within test group. Conclusion-Lasers currently have a variety of uses in dentistry, although low-level lasers have been found beneficial in reducing the pain response after periodontal surgery in present study, but studies with larger sample are required to see significant association. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]