Journal of Dental Medicine

  Background and Aims : Free gingival graft is one of the most predictable procedures for gingival augmentation, but patient’s discomfort and pain during healing period of palatal donor site is a significant concern. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of 660nm low power laser on pain and healing in palatal donor sites.

  Materials and Methods: The present split mouth randomized controlled clinical trial was performed in 12 patients at the department of periodontics of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Patients’ allocation was done by balanced block randomization (laser group and placebo group). In laser test group (wave length: 660 nm, power: 200mW, time of irradiation: 32s) was applied immediately post-surgery and in day 1, 2, 4 and 7 after that. In the control group, laser application was done with off power mode. Evaluation of epithelialization and healing was done with H₂O₂ and photograph. The number of palliative pills and bleeding was recorded. Wilcoxon test was used to analyze healing during the study. Patient’s pain during study was analyzed using repeated measure ANOVA. Mc Nemar test was used to analyze bleeding. Level of statistical significance was set at 0.05.

  Results: Laser group showed better epithelialization (P=0.02) and healing (P=0.01) in day 14 after surgery and showed better epithelialization in day 21(P=0.05). No statistically differences were observed between laser group and control group in terms of bleeding and medication (P=0.51), (P=1).

  Conclusion: According to the results of this study, the low power laser can promote palatal wound healing during the second and third week after free gingival graft procedures.