Purpose of the Study: The aim was to evaluate the patient's perception of pain associated with phonation, deglutition, and normal function following a lingual frenectomy using a scalpel and laser. Materials and Methods: This study included two groups of patients of five subjects each who reported with difficulty in speaking and deglutition. Patients in Group I were treated using scalpel and those in Group II underwent laser (diode) frenectomy. All these patients are evaluated for postoperative pain on 1 ^st , 3 ^rd and 7 ^th day. Results: The intergroup comparison of mean visual analog scale (VAS) scores for pain in both the groups showed significant differences. The intragroup comparison of mean VAS scores for pain within the scalpel group did not show any significant difference between the 1 ^st and 3 ^rd day, however, when the mean VAS scores of the 7 ^th day were compared with those on the 1 ^st and 3 ^rd day, the difference was highly significant. The intragroup comparison of mean VAS scores for pain within the laser group among all the days showed a significant difference. Conclusion: The results of the present study results showed that the patient's perception of pain associated with tongue movements following lingual frenectomy with laser is lesser when compared with scalpel.

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Context: Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy are well established for reduction of inflammation related pain. In vitro studies have shown a biostimulatory effect of low-level lasers (LLL) on various cell types, including neural cells. Aims: The aim was to evaluate postendodontic treatment pain with and without the use of LLL. Settings and Design: Fifty patients with demand for endodontic treatment on their premolars were included in the study. Patients had no history of medical complications, or systemic diseases. All patients were randomly divided into two groups (n = 25). Subjects and Methods: Endodontic treatments were performed in a single-visit. First group was the laser group, after biomechanical preparation patients were treated with LLL, application was done through root canal and to the buccal and lingual mucosae overlying the apices of the target tooth. Exposure time was 80 s. In the second group, patients received placebo. Intensity of posttreatment pain was recorded using visual analog scale at 4, 8, 24, and 72 h. Statistical Analysis Used: Observed results were statistically analyzed using Mann-Whitney U-test. Results: There was a significant difference between both the groups in favor of LLLT group. Conclusions: LLLT has been shown to be effective, noninvasive and nonpharmacological approach for the reduction of postendodontic treatment pain, periodontal infection, periapical and wound healing.

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Objectives: Achieving higher bond strength is one of the most researched issues in adhesive bonding to dentin. Hard tissue modification by means of laser irradiation is becoming popular in dentistry. This study evaluates the shear bond strength of a commercially available adhesive system to dentin irradiated with Nd:YAG laser after adhesive application prior to and after polymerization of the bonding agent. Material and Methods: A group of 15 freshly extracted teeth were selected. Each one of these were disked proximally to expose the dentin. The teeth were randomly allocated into 3 groups. In Group 1, dentin was irradiated with Nd:YAG laser after the application of bonding agent but prior to ploymerization. In Group 2 dentin was irradiated with Nd:YAG laser after the application of bonding agent and subsequent polymerization. Group 3 served as control without irradiation with Nd:YAG. Shear bond strength was evaluated and the results were analyzed statistically. Results: There was statistical difference between group 1 when compared with group 2 and group 3. However there was no statistical difference between group 2 and group 3. Conclusion: Application of laser on bonding agent before curing can have significant increase in the bond strength

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Buccal frenectomy is a common preprosthetic surgical procedure. It is a procedure usually done to aid denture stability. Although it is conventionally being performed using a scalpel, the diode lasers possess certain advantages such as rapid healing and less recurrence. Three cases of preprosthetic laser frenectomy are presented here with a satisfactory outcome.

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Introduction: Low laser level therapy (LLLT) has a stimulatory effect on bone formation. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of the low laser therapy LLLT on the condylar growth in rabbits. Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 24 male white New Zealand rabbits with the mean age of 5 weeks and the mean weight of 1.5 kg. LLLT was used for radiation. The sample was divided into two groups: The first group was the control group, which was not subjected to any laser irradiation. The second group was irradiated unilaterally (right side) with was CW 870 nm with power output of 300 mW, energy of 180 J. The spot size was 4 mm circle. The exposure was performed on the temporomandibular joint (TMJ) (a total of 10 min) for 3 sessions/week for 4 weeks. The rabbits in both groups were sacrificed, and the histological evaluation of TMJ was performed to compare the fibro cartilaginous layer, chondrogenic layer and newly formed bone trabeculae. Results: Hyperplasia was observed in the fibro cartilaginous layer associated with hypertrophy in the chondroblasts with excessive newly formed bony trabeculae in the underlying bony structure. Conclusion: Low-level laser (diode) in rabbits enhances mandibular growth by condylar endochondreal bone growth while no increase in the fibrous tissues. The results of this study encourage the use of LLLT during orthodontic treatment as it would provide benefit to patients, allowing them to shorten prolonged treatment.

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Background : Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen have long been used as a relief to orthodontic pain, and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been recommended for the analgesic effects. Objective : The purpose of this study was to compare the analgesic effects of Ibuprofen and LLLT on orthodontic pain and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) level assessment in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF). Subjects and Methods: A total of 28 volunteered dental students (14 male; 14 female) were randomly divided into LLLT group and Ibuprofen group. Maxillary first molars were randomly selected to place separators in mesial and distal contacts. One group received Ibuprofen administration and the other received pulsed low-level GaAlAs laser irradiation. GCF samples were collected before therapeutic interventions and 1 h and 24 h later. Pain intensity was analyzed before therapeutic intervention and 1 h and 24 h later using visual analogue scale (VAS). Statistical analyses were Mann-Whitney U-test, t-test, Friedman test, and repeated measures ANOVA test. Results: Based on VAS scores both groups experienced increasing pain within 24 h. A significant reduction was found in PGE2 levels after 1 h and an insignificant reduction after 24 h in Ibuprofen group, but in the laser group no significant change was observed in PGE2 levels (P < 0.05). Conclusions : The current study showed that pulsed low-level laser did not have any analgesic effect and Ibuprofen was most effective 1 h after administration. There was no difference in analgesic effects of laser and Ibuprofen, and no correlation was found between PGE2 levels of GCF and pain perception.

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Peripheral giant cell Granuloma is a slow growing, solitary, common gingival overgrowth of unknown etiology. A combination of clinical presentation, radiographic and histopathology study is essential to diagnose such case. We report a case of a 62-year-old female having gingival overgrowth was managed by diode lasers with success has been described.

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