Effect of Photobiomodulation on the Incidence of Alveolar Osteitis and Postoperative Pain following Mandibular Third Molar Surgery: A Double-Blind Randomized Clinical Trial

Opioid requirement and pain intensity after mandibular surgeries with dexmedetomidine administration in two ways: intraoperative infusion versus bolus injection

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study is to compare the opioid requirement and pain intensity after surgeries of mandibular fractures with administration of dexmedetomidine by two approaches of infusion and single bolus.

METHODS

In this double-blind clinical trial, the participants were randomized and matched in terms of age and gender in two groups (infusion and bolus). In both groups, the amount of narcotic used, hemodynamic indices, oxygen saturation, and pain intensity were collected based on the ten-point Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) at 7 time points for 24 h. SPSS version 24 software was used for data analysis. A significance level of less than 5% was considered.

RESULTS

A total of 40 patients were included in the study. There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of gender, age, ASA class, and duration of surgery (P>0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of nausea and vomiting and subsequently receiving anti-nausea medication (P>0.05). The need for opioid consumption after surgery was not different in two groups (P>0.05). Infusion of dexmedetomidine reduced postoperative pain more rapidly than its single bolus dose (P<0.05). However, over time, there was no significant difference between the two groups in terms of changes in oxygen saturation variables (P>0.05). Homodynamic indices including heart rate, systolic blood pressure, and diastolic blood pressure in the bolus group were significantly lower than the infusion group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSION

Administration of dexmedetomidine in the form of infusion can reduce postoperative pain better than bolus injection, with less probability of hypotension and bradycardia.

Complementary and alternative therapies for managing postoperative pain after lower third molar surgery: a systematic review and network meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of complementary and alternative treatments on postoperative pain following lower third molar surgeries.

METHODS

A comprehensive search of Electronic databases (Embase, MEDLINE via PubMed, and Cochrane Library) and grey literature was conducted up until May 2022. Randomized clinical trials investigating the effect of acupuncture, ozone therapy, laser (LLLT), drainage tube, kinesio-taping, ice therapy, and compressions on pain after LTM surgeries were included. The estimated mean differences (MD) for alternative therapies were pooled using the frequentist approach to random-model network meta-analysis NMA.

RESULTS

Eighty-two papers were included in the qualitative analysis; 33 of them were included in the quantitative analyzes. NMA revealed that drainage tube and kinesio-taping were superior in controlling pain 24-hours postoperatively than no-treatment. At 48-hours follow-up, kinesio-taping and LLLT more effective than placebo and drainage tube; and kinesio-taping and LLLT were superior to no treatment. At 72 h postoperatively, ozone therapy was superior to placebo; and drainage tube, kinesio-taping, and LLLT were better than no treatment. At 7-days follow-up, ozone and LLLT were superior to placebo; and LLLT and kinesio-taping were superior to no treatment. The SUCRA-ranking placed drainage tube as top-ranking intervention at 48-hours (98.2%) and 72-hours (96%) follow-ups, and ozone (83.5%) at 7-days follow-up.

CONCLUSION

The study findings suggest that these alternative and complementary therapies may be useful in reducing postoperative pain after LTM surgeries, and may offer advantages when combined to traditional pain management methods.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Non-pharmacological therapies are gaining popularity among healthcare professionals and patients. This study found that some of these therapies, specifically kinesio-taping and drainage tube were effective in controlling postoperative pain after third molar surgeries. These findings have important implications for clinical practice, as they highlight the potential benefits of incorporating these therapies into postoperative pain management plans.

Comparison of suture and sutureless techniques on postoperative complications after third molar surgery: a systematic review

OBJECTIVE

To compare, among patients undergoing third molar surgeries, whether the use or omission of sutures improves postoperative clinical parameters.

METHOD

A systematic literature review was conducted to identify randomized clinical trials in humans. The steps of this review were conducted following the PRISMA protocol. The risk of bias assessment was performed using the revised Cochrane tool (RoB 2). The RevMan software was employed for meta-analyses, and the quality of evidence was evaluated using GRADE.

RESULT

A total of seven articles were included in the systematic review; however, only one article quantitatively measured bleeding, rendering meta-analysis for this outcome unfeasible. The group of patients in whom sutures were not used presented lower pain and edema on the first day (respectively: MD - 1.08; 95% CI - 1.35 to - 0.81; MD - 1.23; 95% CI - 2.34 to - 0.11) and second day (respectively: MD - 0.50; 95% CI - 0.83 to - 0.17; MD - 10.66; 95% CI - 1.16 to - 0.16) postoperatively, compared to the group where sutures were employed. The group of patients who received sutures exhibited increased trismus on the first day postoperatively (MD 1.04; 95% CI 0.67 to 1.41).

CONCLUSION

The omission of postoperative sutures in third molar surgeries appears to favor pain and edema outcomes within the first 24 h after the procedure, as well as trismus within the same timeframe.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE

Despite the suture being the standard conduct in tooth extractions. The omission of sutures in third molar extractions may favor inflammatory outcomes of pain, edema, and trismus in the immediate postoperative period.

Use of Photobiomodulation to Reduce Postoperative Pain, Edema, and Trismus After Third Molar Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

PURPOSE

Third molar extraction can cause surgical trauma, which is associated with pain, edema, trismus, and functional limitations. The aim of the present systematic review was to investigate the effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) following the extraction of impacted mandibular third molars.

METHODS

An electronic search was conducted in 10 databases from inception up to October 2021 and the grey literature, with no restrictions regarding language or year of publication. Randomized controlled clinical trials (RCT) were included. Studies that were not RCTs were excluded. Reviewers independently analyzed titles and abstracts, followed by full-text analysis. This systematic review was conducted following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA). The exposure variable was the use of PBM and the outcomes were pain, edema, and trismus. Meta-analysis was performed using a random-effects model. The estimate was calculated considering standardized mean differences (SMD) and respective 95% confidence intervals (CI) obtained for each outcome on the first, second, third and seventh postoperative days. The level of evidence was assessed using the GRADE approach.

RESULTS

The search resulted in the 3,324 records. Thirty-three RCTs were included in the systematic review and 23 of these were included in the meta-analyses. The studies involved a total of 1,347 participants (56.6% female and 43.4% male) between 16 and 44 years of age. A greater reduction in pain was found in the PBM group compared to the control group on the third postoperative day (SMD: -1.09; 95% CI: -1.63; -0.55; P < .001; low certainty). Edema was discretely lower in the PBM group on the second postoperative day (SMD: -0.61; 95% CI: -1.09; -0.13; P < .001; low certainty) and trismus was discretely lower in the PBM group on the seventh postoperative day (SMD: 0.48; 95% CI: 0.00; 0.96; P < .001; very low certainty).

CONCLUSION

The evidence of the effect of PBM regarding the control of pain, edema, and trismus following third molar extractions is low or very low.

Photobiomodulation for Managing "Dry Socket": A Randomised Controlled Trial

OBJECTIVE

There are no studies that have evaluated the effect of Alveogyl with and without adjunct photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in reducing self-rated post-operative pain (SPP) in patients with alveolar osteitis (AO; dry socket). The aim of the present randomised controlled trial was to assess the effectiveness of Alveogyl with and without PBMT for the management of SPP in patients with AO.

METHODS

Adult nonsmokers with diagnosed AO were included. Patients were randomly divided into 4 groups. In Group 1, patients underwent mechanical curettage (MC) with copious normal saline irrigation. In Group 2, patients underwent MC + Alveogyl dressings in extraction sites which were changed every 48 hours until cessation of pain. In Group 3, patients underwent MC + Alveogyl followed by PBMT using a 660-nm indium-gallium-aluminum-phosphide diode laser. In Group 4, patients were treated solely with PBMT. The visual analogue scale was used up to 3 postoperative days to assess SPP up to 3 days at 6- (T0) and 12-hour (T1) intervals. Statistical analyses were performed using the analysis of variance and Bonferroni post hoc adjustment tests. Correlation between SPP scores and age, sex, and eruption status of teeth was assessed using logistic regression models. P values <.01 were nominated as being statistically significant.

RESULTS

In all, 14, 13, 14, and 14 individuals with AO were included in groups 1, 2, 3 and 4, respectively. All patients had undergone extraction of mandibular third molars. At baseline and on day 1, there was no difference in SPP in all groups. On days 2 and 3, mean visual analogue scale (VAS) scores at T1 (P < .01) and T2 (P < .01) intervals were significantly high in Group 2 compared with Group 3. On days 2 and 3, mean VAS scores at T1 (P < .01) and T2 (P < .01) intervals were significantly high in Group 4 compared with Group 3. There was no difference in SPP in groups 3 and 4 on day 3 at T0 and T1 intervals.

CONCLUSIONS

PBMT following MC and Alveogyl dressing is more efficient in reducing SPP compared with MC with or without Alveogyl dressing in patients with AO.

The Involvement of Photobiology in Contemporary Dentistry-A Narrative Review

Light is an emerging treatment approach that is being used to treat many diseases and conditions such as pain, inflammation, and wound healing. The light used in dental therapy generally lies in visible and invisible spectral regions. Despite many positive results in the treatment of different conditions, this therapy still faces some skepticism, which has prevented its widespread adoption in clinics. The main reason for this skepticism is the lack of comprehensive information about the molecular, cellular, and tissular mechanisms of action, which underpin the positive effects of phototherapy. However, there is currently promising evidence in support of the use of light therapy across a spectrum of oral hard and soft tissues, as well as in a variety of important dental subspecialties, such as endodontics, periodontics, orthodontics, and maxillofacial surgery. The merging of diagnostic and therapeutic light procedures is also seen as a promising area for future expansion. In the next decade, several light technologies are foreseen as becoming integral parts of modern dentistry practice.

Comparison between ozone and CHX gel application for reduction of pain and incidence of dry socket after lower third molar removal

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study is to evaluate the efficacy between ozone gas and 1% chlorhexidine (CHX) gel in the incidence of dry socket after surgical extraction of impacted lower third molars.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Overall, 30 patients of both genders were included in the study, with indication of surgical extraction of lower third molar, positioned similarly after being clinically and radiographically checked by X-ray and orthopantomography. Each patient was subjected to both groups in separate sessions: treated with ozone gas and with CHX gel 1%. Data on pain intensity, number of taken analgesics-painkillers, and dry socket were recorded for 48 h and at Day 7.

RESULTS

Ozone gas and CHX gel effectively reduced pain intensity and prevented dry socket. The number of taken analgesics 48 h and 7 days after surgery showed no statistical significance. The same was observed for the distribution of pain. Only one patient reported the occurrence of dry socket 7 days after the surgical extraction.

CONCLUSIONS

Ozone gas and CHX 1% gel are both efficient in decreasing postoperative symptoms and incidence rates of dry socket, but in comparison to each other, the use of ozone gas is showing a bit better prevention capability.

Comparison of Pulsed and Continuous Wave Diode Laser at 940 nm on the Viability and Migration of Gingival Fibroblasts

Gingival fibroblasts have critical roles in oral wound healing. Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been shown to promote mucosal healing and is now recommended for managing oncotherapy-associated oral mucositis. This study examined the effects of the emission mode of a 940 nm diode laser on the viability and migration of human gingival fibroblasts. Cells were cultured in a routine growth media and treated with PBM (average power 0.1 W/cm² , average fluence 3 J/cm² , every 12h for 6 sessions) in one continuous wave (CW) and two pulsing settings with 20 % and 50 % duty cycles. Cell viability was assessed using MTT, and digital imaging quantified cell migration. After 48 and 72 hours, all treatment groups had significantly higher viability (n = 6, p < 0.05) compared to the control. The highest viability was seen in the pulsed (20% duty cycle) group at the 72-hour time point. PBM improved fibroblast migration in all PBM-treated groups, but differences were not statistically significant (n = 2, p > 0.05). PBM treatments can promote cell viability in both continuous and pulsed modes. Further studies are needed to elucidate the optimal setting for PBM-evoked responses for its rationalized use in promoting specific phases of oral wound healing.