Avaliação da terapia a laser de baixa intensidade na modulação da dor e da cicatrização do palato em cirurgias de enxerto gengival livre: ensaio clínico randomizado

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effects of low-level laser photobiomodulation on postoperative pain and palatal donor site healing following free gingival graft (FGG) procedures. A randomized, controlled, parallel, single-blind clinical trial was conducted with 40 participants requiring augmentation of keratinized mucosa. Subjects were randomly assigned to a test group (n=20) and a control group (n=20). The test group received therapeutic laser irradiation (GaAlAs, 660 nm, 100 mW, 1 J/cm² for 20 seconds) over the donor site immediately after surgery and at 24, 48, and 72 hours postoperatively. The control group received a sham application. Pain intensity was measured using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 14 different time points up to 7 days post-surgery. Epithelialization was assessed at 4, 7, and 14 days using a hydrogen peroxide bubble test. Erythema and bleeding were also monitored. Pain scores were similar between groups at one hour postoperatively but were significantly lower in the laser group at all subsequent time points (p<0.001). At day 14, 95% of patients in the laser group exhibited complete wound epithelialization versus 65% in the control group (p=0.044). No significant differences in erythema or bleeding were observed between groups. Low-level laser therapy significantly reduced postoperative pain and accelerated wound healing at the palatal donor site. These findings support its use as a safe and effective adjunct in periodontal plastic surgery.