Mohammad Taghi Baghani,
Shaahed University, Iran
Title: Clinical comparison between free gingival graft healing with and without low level laser therapy
Biography
Biography: Mohammad Taghi Baghani,
Abstract
Background: Free gingival graft is one of the most predictable procedures for gingival augmentation, but patients discomfort and pain during healing period of palatal donor site is a significant concern.
Aim: The aim of this study was to compare between free gingival graft healing with and without low level laser therapy in class one and two miller gingival recession clinically.
Material & Methods: 12 individuals needing bilateral gingival graft in the mandibular arch were enrolled in a double-blind study. Each individual had a 30-days interval between the two surgeries. The side receiving application of laser was defined as test side and was established upon surgery; laser application was simulated on the control side. The laser was applied in the immediate postoperative period and after 48 hours, and patients rated pain on a scale of 0 to 10 at 3 h, 24 h and 7th day after surgery, representing their experience of pain, respectively. Photographs were obtained at 0 and 30 days postoperatively and evaluated by three periodontists.
Results: 10 patients could make the study to the end. Laser group showed better color matching (P=0.04, P=0.05, P=0.015) and healing in donor site (P=0.000) in day 7, 14 and 21 after surgery and showed less discomfort and pain in 24 h (P=0.007). No statistically differences were observed between laser group and control group in terms of bleeding index and pocket depth and gingival index and gingival margin place (P=0.625).
Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the low level laser therapy can improve the discomfort and pain 24 h after surgery and promote donor site wound healing and color matching in graft site.