Comparative Study of Diode Laser versus Diathermy in Soft Tissue Surgical Procedures of Oral Cavity

Abstract

Aims and Objectives: To evaluate wound healing and patient’s comfort after oral soft tissue surgical procedures performed by diode laser in comparison with diathermy. Methods: This study includes 20 patients requiring oral soft tissue surgical procedures are randomly categorized into group A and group B of 10 patients each. Group A patients will undergo diathermy and group B patients will undergo laser therapy. Clinical assessment and photographs of patients will be done preoperatively and postoperatively on 1st day, 3rd day, 7th day, 2nd    week and 4th week. Evaluation of postoperative bleeding, pain, infection and healing will be carried out. Results: At the end of the study the assessment of parameters such as bleeding, swelling, wound healing, presence of infection were approximately similar in both the treatment methods to be insignificant, 70% of the patients included in this study under the laser group were very satisfied with the procedure & the pain experience by the patients in the same group was comparatively less, when compared to the diathermy group. Conclusion: The observations suggest that both the treatment options were effective although laser proves better in terms of minimal bleeding, pain, reduced swelling, faster healing and patient’s comfort. Further research and a longer follow up period is desirable for a definitive conclusion.