Comparison of pain and healing period after frenectomy using diode laser and Er:YAG laser: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVES

The frenum is a mucous membrane fold that attaches the lip and the cheek to the alveolar mucosa, the gingiva, and the underlying periosteum. Frenectomy is the surgical removal of the whole frenum, including the area connected to the bones. The purpose of this study was to compare the healing period and postsurgical pain experienced by patients operated with diode and Er:YAG lasers.

METHOD AND MATERIALS

Twenty referred patients requiring excision of the abnormal upper labial frenum were included in the study. Patients were randomly assigned into two groups: diode group (810 nm, 2W, continuous emission, initiated tip) and Er:YAG group (2,940 nm, 2W, 200 mJ, 10 Hz). Both lasers were applied in contact mode. Postoperative pain was assessed using a numerical rating scale at 3 hours postoperatively and every day during the first postoperative week. The epithelialization process of the wound surface was evaluated using hydrogen peroxide solution applied to the wound on postoperative days 7, 14, 30, 60, and 90.

RESULTS

The results showed the mean values of Pain Index after 3 hours (diode group 2.1 ± 2.0, Er:YAG group 2.6 ± 1.4), day 1 (diode group 1.1 ± 1.1, Er:YAG group 1.9 ± 1.4), and day 2 (diode group 0.0 ± 0.0, Er:YAG group 0.9 ± 1.1), with no significant difference after 3 to 7 days (P = 1.00). For the Healing Index there was a significant difference between the diode group and the Er:YAG group (7 days, P = .029; 14 days, P = .001), with no significant difference after 30/60/90 days (P = 1.00).

CONCLUSIONS

The Er:YAG laser had better clinical results in healing wounds, whereas the diode laser resulted in better decreasing pain levels after frenectomy during the follow-up periods.