A efetividade da aplicação de laser de baixa potência para amenizar o desconforto do período pós-operatório em casos de exodontia de terceiros molares: revisão de literatura

Abstract

Introduction: Minor oral surgery of third molars is a routine practice performed in most dental offices, which, in turn, can cause discomfort and slow post-surgical recovery. Thus, the application of low-power laser has been explored as an adjuvant instrument in tissue regeneration and postoperative scar repair. Objective: To carry out an integrative review about the effectiveness of applying low-power laser to ease the discomfort of the postoperative period in cases of third molar extraction. Methodology: The descriptors “laser therapy” and “Third Molar surgery” were applied in the indexed databases PUBMED, LILACS and Virtual Health Library (VHL), interconnected through the Boolean operator “and”. After reading in full and extracting the data, 20 articles were selected between the years 2018 to 2023. Results and discussion: The studies showed positive results in relation to the application of low power laser therapy to reduce post-extraction discomfort, only one study disagreed on its effect. In total, 541 patients were evaluated. The application level and wavelength of laser therapy ranged from 640 nm to 980 nm. The application time ranged from 7 seconds to 15 minutes. Final considerations: The gallium aluminum arsenide laser (GaAIAs, λ = 808 a 810 nm) applied 1 cm from the irradiated site with an exposure time of 30s to 90s with a power of 30 mW to 50 mW was an effective therapy to improve pain, swelling, trismus and post-extraction edema of third molars. Therefore, low power laser therapy demonstrates efficiency in controlling inflammation and tissue repair after extraction of third molars in both jaws.