Comparison of vestibuloplasty operations with diode laser and conventional techniques for wound healing and vestibule depth gains

The aim of this study is to compare wound healing and vestibular depth gain in individuals undergoing vestibule deepening surgery using diode laser and conventional technique and to further investigate the possible effect of low-level laser (LLL) therapy on secondary wound healing. In this study, 52 systemically healthy individuals with insufficient vestibular depth in the region of teeth 33-43 in the lower jaw were included. Following Phase I periodontal treatment, patients were divided into 4 groups: a) diode laser, b) diode laser + LLL, c) conventional surgery, and d) conventional surgery + LLL, and vestibule deepening was applied to all subjects. LLL treatment was carried out immediately after vestibule deepening and repeated on the 1st, 3rd and, 7th days with an output power of 0.1 W and a dose of 6 J / cm2 for 60 seconds in non-contact mode. Vestibular depth and horizontal wound size measurements of the individuals were recorded using digital calipers at baseline, 1st, 2nd and, 4th weeks after the operation. Wound healing, bleeding, edema, pain, loss of function and scar formation parameters were scored. Reepitelization was evaluated immediately after the operation and , repeated on the 3rd, 7th and, 14th days via an image analysis program. All data obtained were analyzed with the SPSS program. Vestibular depth measurements were found to be significantly higher in the conventional surgery group compared to the diode laser group at the 1st, 2nd and, 4th weeks after the operation (p <0.05). Reepithelization did not differ between groups in the evaluated time periods (p >0,05). It was found that the horizontal wound shrinkage was significantly higher in the conventional surgery group than that of diode laser group at the 2nd and 4th weeks. Within the limits of this study, it can be concluded that both conventional surgery and diode laser-assisted vestibule deepening methods yield in vestibule depth gain, as well as more in conventional vestibule deepening surgery. On the other hand, it was determined that LLL treatment had no additional effect on mucosal wound healing.