Objective: To explore via systematic review the validation of uneventful post-surgical healing, associated with shorter and longer laser wavelength applications in minor oral surgery procedures. Methods: From April 28 to May 11, 2020, PubMed, Cochrane Database of Systemic Reviews, and Google Scholar search engines were applied to identify human clinical trials of photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy in clinical dentistry. The searches were carried out with reference to (1) dental laser wavelengths shorter than 650 nm; (2) wavelengths localized within the 2780-2940 nm; and (3) the 9300-10,600 nm range. Selected articles were further assessed by three independent reviewers for strict compliance with PRISMA guidelines and modified Cochrane Risk of Bias to determine eligibility. Results: Using selection filters of randomized clinical trials, moderate/low risk of bias, and the applied period, and following PRISMA guidelines, 25 articles were selected and examined. A risk of bias was completed, where 11 out of 25 publications were classified as low risk of bias, and 14 out of 25 were classified as medium risk status. In total, 6 out of 13 (46% of) studies comparing the examined laser wavelengths with scalpel-based treatment showed positive results, whereas 6 out of 13 (46%) showed no difference, and only 1 out of 13 (7.7%) presented a negative outcome. In addition, 5 out of 6 (83% of) studies comparing the examined laser wavelengths with other diodes (808-980 nm) showed positive results, whereas 1 out of 6 (17%) had negative outcomes. Conclusions: A detailed and blinded examination of published studies has been undertaken, applying strict criteria to demonstrate research outcome data, which suggests positive or at worst neutral comparatives when a given laser wavelength system is used against an alternative control therapy. As such, substantiated evidence for laser surgery in delivering uneventful healing and analgesic effects, as an expression of a PBM-like (quasi-PBM) influence, has been shown.
Keywords: healing; laser; optical window; oral; photobiomodulation; soft tissue.