Low-Level Laser Therapy for Tooth Extraction Site Healing

Overseen By Pinar Emecen-Huja

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Trial Phase: Academic

Sponsor: Medical University of South Carolina

Must not be taking: Antibiotics, Bisphosphonates

Disqualifiers: Periodontal disease, Acute infection, others

No Placebo Group All trial participants will receive the active study treatment (no placebo)

Compensation: Varies

Number of Visits: 7

Duration: 1 week

39 Participants Needed

What You Need to Know Before You Apply

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial explores whether a special laser treatment can improve wound healing after tooth extraction. The focus is on using a low-level Nd-YAG laser to enhance healing and reduce pain following the procedure. One group of participants will receive this laser treatment on specific days after their tooth extraction, while another group will not. Ideal participants are those scheduled for a tooth extraction and who have no untreated gum disease or recent antibiotic use.

As an unphased trial, this study allows participants to contribute to innovative research that could enhance post-extraction healing and comfort.

Do I have to stop taking my current medications for the trial?

The trial does not specify if you need to stop taking your current medications, but you cannot participate if you've used antibiotics in the last three months or are taking bisphosphonates.

What prior data suggests that this laser therapy is safe for tooth extraction site healing?

Research shows that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is generally safe and can accelerate wound healing. Studies have found that it speeds up healing in children's mouths after a tooth extraction compared to not using the laser. This suggests the laser might help the mouth recover more quickly after a tooth extraction.

LLLT is also used for other purposes in dentistry, such as reducing pain after dental procedures. However, one study found that it didn't significantly lessen pain or swelling after wisdom teeth removal, so results can vary.

Overall, low-level laser therapy is considered safe, with no major safety concerns reported in studies. For those considering joining a trial, this therapy appears to be a safe option based on past research. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Why are researchers excited about this trial?

Low-level laser therapy is unique because it uses light energy to promote healing at tooth extraction sites. Unlike standard treatments that often rely on medications to manage pain and inflammation, this therapy targets the body's natural healing processes without drugs. Researchers are excited because it may speed up recovery and reduce discomfort post-extraction, offering a non-invasive and drug-free alternative to traditional methods.

What evidence suggests that low-level laser therapy is effective for tooth extraction site healing?

Studies have shown that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) greatly aids healing after tooth extraction. Research indicates that it reduces pain and accelerates gum healing by affecting swelling. In this trial, participants in the intervention arm will receive LLLT at tooth extraction sites. One study found that children healed faster with this laser therapy after tooth removal compared to those without it. Another study showed that people experienced less pain and recovered more quickly with laser treatment than with regular care. Overall, evidence suggests that LLLT effectively improves healing and reduces discomfort after oral surgeries. ^{2 6 7 8 9}

Who Is on the Research Team?

Pinar Emecen-Huja

Principal Investigator

Medical University of South Carolina

Are You a Good Fit for This Trial?

This trial is for individuals who have recently had a tooth extracted and are experiencing postoperative pain or inflammation. Participants should be interested in testing whether laser therapy can help with wound healing and pain management after dental procedures.

Inclusion Criteria

I am scheduled for a tooth extraction and bone preservation in my jaw.

I can describe how much pain I feel.

Participants who self-report 'not pregnant'

Exclusion Criteria

Pregnant or lactating women

I have bone defects in my jaw detected during a tooth removal.

I have not taken antibiotics in the last three months.

Timeline for a Trial Participant

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive tooth extraction and alveolar ridge preservation with Nd-YAG laser photobiostimulation on days 1, 3, and 7 following extraction

1 week

3 visits (in-person)

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for wound healing, pain perception, and inflammatory markers

6 weeks

4 visits (in-person)

What Are the Treatments Tested in This Trial?

Interventions

• Low-level laser therapy

Trial Overview The study is examining the effectiveness of Nd:YAG laser photobiostimulation on improving gingival wound healing following tooth extraction. Patients will either receive standard care or standard care plus laser treatment on specific days to see if there's a difference in recovery.

How Is the Trial Designed?

Group I: Intervention Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

Low-level lase therapy will be applied at tooth extraction sites.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

Sham laser will be applied instead of the low-level laser.

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Medical University of South Carolina

Lead Sponsor

Trials

994

Recruited

7,408,000+

Citations

1. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11531730/

The Efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Healing ... The 11 studies showed that LLLT significantly decreased postoperative pain and enhanced wound healing and three studies showed a decrease in ...

2. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1572100025001231

The efficacy of low-level laser therapy in oral surgery Studies suggest that LLLT can effectively reduce pain levels and promote faster soft tissue healing by modulating inflammatory cytokines and enhancing ...

3. bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com bmcoralhealth.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12903-024-04145-5

Effect of low-level laser therapy in wound healing of primary ... The study confirmed that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) promotes faster healing in pediatric extraction sockets compared to the control group, ...

4. medicaljournalssweden.se medicaljournalssweden.se/actaodontologica/article/view/42261/48339

Low-level laser treatment's ability to reduce dry socket pain The results showed that the laser treatment group had significantly less pain and a faster healing rate than the antiseptic dressing group. They ...

5. journals.lww.com journals.lww.com/dhyp/fulltext/2019/10030/effect_of_low_level_laser_therapy_on_wound.2.aspx

Effect of Low-Level LASER Therapy on Wound Recovery ... The results indicated that LLLT can effectively accelerate the wounds recovery at both upper and lower jaws over 2 weeks after an orthognathic surgery.

6. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10949756/

Effect of low-level laser therapy in wound healing ... The study confirmed that low-level laser therapy (LLLT) promotes faster healing in pediatric extraction sockets compared to the control group, ...

7. clinicaltrials.gov clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT07033403

Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing and ... The goal of this clinical trial is to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy on wound healing of primary molar teeth extraction. in children aged 5-8 ...

8. sciencedirect.com sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0278239125001892

Is Low-Level Laser Treatment Effective in Reducing Pain ... Postoperative LLLT showed no statistically significant benefits in reducing pain, swelling, and trismus after wisdom teeth removal.

9. pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9534528/

Implementation of Low-Level Laser Therapy in Dentistry LLLT has gained prominence for several applications, including wound healing and pain relief after non-surgical and surgical procedures.