The Effect of Photobiomodulation on Third Molar Wound Recovery: A Systematic Review with Meta-Analysis

Area of Science:

• Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery
• Biomedical Engineering
• Regenerative Medicine

Background:

• Complications following mandibular third molar extractions are common.
• Limited research exists on photobiomodulation's efficacy in managing these complications.
• Standardized protocols for photobiomodulation in this context are lacking.

Purpose of the Study:

• To systematically review and meta-analyze the existing literature on photobiomodulation's effects on postoperative complications after mandibular third molar surgery.
• To assess the impact of photobiomodulation on alveolar osteitis, mucosa repair, and bone healing.
• To identify gaps in current research and guide future studies.

Main Methods:

• Systematic literature review and meta-analysis adhering to PRISMA guidelines.
• PICO model for research question formulation.
• Searches conducted across multiple databases (MEDLINE/PubMed, Google Scholar, Clinicaltrial.gov, Cochrane Library, OpenGrey) without date restrictions.
• Inclusion of 18 studies after initial screening and full-text review.

Main Results:

• Significant heterogeneity observed among the included studies regarding methodologies and outcomes.
• Meta-analysis focused on the incidence of alveolar osteitis (AO), mucosa repair/alveolar pocket healing, and bone repair.
• Confidence Interval (CI) for the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) was 98% to 99%.

Conclusions:

• The current body of evidence on photobiomodulation for mandibular third molar extraction complications is heterogeneous.
• Further high-quality research is essential to establish definitive conclusions.
• A nuanced understanding of photobiomodulation's role in mitigating postoperative complications is crucial.