J Appl Biomed 1:175-180, 2003 | DOI: 10.32725/jab.2003.032

Assessment of the effect of non invasive laser on the process of healing of an extraction wound by infrared thermography: preliminary study

Hana Fikáčková^1,3,*, Blanka Navrátilová³, Ivan Dylevský^2,4, Leoš Navrátil^1,2, Radek Jirman⁵

¹ Charles University, 1st Medical Faculty, Institute of Biophysics and Informatics, Praha, Czech Republic

² University of South Bohemia, České Budějovice, Faculty of the Health and Social Studies, Department of Radiology, Czech Republic

³ Private stomatosurgery practice, Praha, Czech Republic

⁴ Charles University, Department of Anatomy and Biomechanics Faculty of Physical Education and Sport, Praha, Czech Republic

⁵ Charles University, 1st Medical Faculty, Department of Stomatology, Praha, Czech Republic

The purpose of this preliminary, double-blind, placebo-control study was to evaluate the effect of GaAlAs diode laser on wound healing and pain reduction in patients after extraction of impacted lower third molars by infrared thermography.

Material and methods: The study population of two patients was divided into group A treated by GaAlAs diode laser with a wavelength 830 nm and maximal output power of 100 mW and group B treated by placebo laser. Therapeutic Schedule: The energy density per point was 12 J, treatment time 2 minutes, the total energy density for one treatment session was 36 J. Treatment intervals were 10 minutes after extraction, 1 and 3 days after extraction. Patients in group B were treated with a placebo probe in the same schedule. Patients evaluated the level of pain and swelling on 100 mm Visual Analog Scale. Thermographic measurements were performed by ThermaCAM™ SC 2000 before extraction, 30 minutes after extraction and on the 1^st, 3^rd, 5^th, 8^th days.

Results: The patient treated by active laser reported more pain and swelling during the first week after tooth extraction than the patient treated by placebo laser. However, the comparison of thermograms of patients treated by placebo and active laser showed the acceleration of wound healing after extraction in the patient treated with GaAsAl diode laser.

Conclusion: The treatment by GaAlAs diode laser, 830 nm and total energy density for one treatment session 36 J had a stimulation effect on the healing process but did not lead to reduction of pain and swelling in the patient after dental surgery.

Keywords: GaAlAs diode laser; wound healing; pain; infrared thermography; tooth extraction

Received: March 19, 2003; Published: July 31, 2003  Show citation