Low-Level Laser Therapy in Enhancing Wound Healing and Preserving Tissue Thickness at Free Gingival Graft Donor Sites: A Randomized, Controlled Clinical Study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on wound healing at free gingival graft (FGG) donor sites.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty patients requiring FGG were selected for this randomized, controlled, and double-blinded prospective clinical trial. The FGG donor sites were treated with LLLT and compared with an untreated control group. The Wound-Healing Index (WHI), tissue consistency, color match, and H2 O2 bubbling test for the evaluation of complete wound epithelialization were recorded on the 3rd, 7th, 14th and 21st days. The pain-burning level, number of analgesics, and bleeding were recorded for 7 days. Donor area soft tissue thickness (TT) was measured at baseline and at the first month.

RESULTS: The prevalence of Complete Wound Epithelization was higher in the LLLT group than in the control group on the 14th day (p < 0.001). The bleeding was lower in the test group than in the control group during the first 2 days (p ≤ 0.001). Higher WHI Scores were observed in the test group relative to the control group at all visits (p ≤ 0.001). Color match scores were higher in the test group than in the control group at the first 3 visits (p < 0.05). The TT changed from 4.62 ± 0.79 to 4.71 ± 0.82 mm in the LLLT group and from 4.23 ± 0.62 to 4.01 ± 0.68 mm in the control group.

CONCLUSIONS: It can be concluded that LLLT enhances FGG donor site wound healing and preserves TT at palatinal donor sites.