Photobiomodulation using 940-nm laser as an adjuvant therapy on orthognathic surgery: A randomized clinical trial

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy using 940-nm laser in patients undergoing orthognathic surgery. Twenty individuals were randomly distributed into laser (n = 10) and control (n = 10) groups. The PBM was conducted immediately after surgery, after 24 h, 48 h, and weekly for up to 4 weeks. All participants were evaluated for pain, edema, trismus and paresthesia. Data were compared by Fisher's and Mann-Whitney or chi-square tests (5%). The pain decreased from 24 h to 4 weeks, with the laser group reaching any pain after 3 weeks (p < 0.001). A significant difference was noticed for trismus on days 14 and 30 (p = 0.002; p = 0.019), without difference in paresthesia (p = 0.198). Edema was lower on the laser group compared to control, without a significant difference for most measurements. Data indicate that 940-nm PBM therapy decreased the occurrence of postoperative pain and significantly improved trismus.