Can Photobiomodulation Therapy Be an Alternative to Methylprednisolone in Reducing Pain, Swelling, and Trismus After Removal of Impacted Third Molars?
Studies investigating an alternative to corticosteroids in terms of potential side effects after surgical removal of impacted third molars are still ongoing. Accordingly, the present randomized single-blind study aimed to compare the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) and methylprednisolone on pain, edema, and trismus after surgical removal of impacted third molars.  The study included 30 healthy patients with bilaterally impacted lower third molars. The side (right or left molar) that would be extracted at first and the treatment (PBMT or corticosteroid) that would be applied to this side were decided by tossing a coin. The time interval between two surgical operations was at least 3 weeks. In the laser group, immediately after the surgical procedure, PBMT was applied extraorally to the insertion point of the masseter muscle for 60 sec with an output power of 0.3 W and an energy density of 6 J/cm2 and then repeated on postoperative days 1 and 2. In the corticosteroid group, 40 mg/2 mL methylprednisolone sodium succinate was injected postoperatively into the masseter muscle with the intrabuccal approach. On postoperative day 1, methylprednisolone injection (20 mg/1 mL) was repeated. Pain was evaluated using the visual analog scale on postoperative days 1, 2, and 7. Edema (in mm) and trismus (in mm) were evaluated preoperatively and on postoperative days 2 and 7.  There were no significant differences between the PBMT and methylprednisolone administration in terms of postoperative pain, edema, and trismus.  Within the limits of the present study, PBMT was considered an alternative and a useful method for controlling inflammatory complications following impacted wisdom tooth surgery as it exhibited similar clinical efficacy to that of methylprednisolone.
['Feslihan|Erkan|E|', 'Eroğlu|Cennet Neslihan|CN|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D004487:Edema D005260:Female D005938:Glucocorticoids D006801:Humans D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy D008297:Male D008776:Methylprednisolone Hemisuccinate D008964:Molar, Third D010149:Pain, Postoperative D011183:Postoperative Complications D016037:Single-Blind Method D014081:Tooth Extraction D014095:Tooth, Impacted D014313:Trismus D064232:Visual Analog Scale D055815:Young Adult
photobiomodulation therapy methylprednisolone pain swelling trismus corticosteroid