Using light therapy to reduce swelling after wisdom tooth extractions

Evaluation of the Preventive Effect of Photobiomodulation in the Postoperative Period of Extractions of Retained Lower Third Molars: a Double-blind Randomized Controlled Study

Not applicable Interventional University of Nove de Julho · NCT05924191

This study is testing if light therapy can help reduce swelling and other discomfort after wisdom tooth extractions for healthy adults aged 18 to 50.

Quick facts

PhaseNot applicable
Study typeInterventional
Enrollment30 (estimated)
Ages18 Years to 50 Years
SexAll
SponsorUniversity of Nove de Julho Academic / other
Locations1 site (São Paulo, São Paulo)
Trial IDNCT05924191 on ClinicalTrials.gov

What this trial studies

This study evaluates the effectiveness of Photobiomodulation, a light therapy technique, in reducing postoperative edema following the extraction of retained lower third molars. Healthy participants aged 18 to 50 who require this dental procedure will be randomly assigned to receive either the light therapy or a placebo corticosteroid treatment. The primary outcome measured will be the level of swelling 48 hours post-surgery, along with secondary outcomes including pain, lockjaw, and the need for pain relief medication. The study aims to provide a safer alternative to corticosteroids for managing postoperative symptoms.

Who should consider this trial

Good fit: Ideal candidates are healthy individuals aged 18 to 50 with retained lower third molars indicated for extraction.

Not a fit: Patients with medical conditions that contraindicate surgery or those outside the age range may not benefit from this study.

Why it matters

Potential benefit: If successful, this approach could lead to improved recovery experiences for patients undergoing wisdom tooth extractions.

How similar studies have performed: Previous studies have shown positive outcomes with Photobiomodulation in postoperative care, suggesting potential success for this approach.

Eligibility criteria

Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria:

* Patients who present retained lower third molars, according to the degree of surgical difficulty of the procedure and the anatomical position.The selected molars will be those classified according to classes II and III and/or B or C of Pell and Gregory Classification; in vertical or mesio-angular position, according to the Winter Classification or Class II with need for ostectomy or III, with need for ostectomy and odontosection of the Prant Scale, modified by Amarillas-Escobar et al.
* That have an indication for the extraction of the lower third molars (due to recurrent infections, bad anatomical position, orthodontic indication) or a professional indication presented in writing and that are healthy (ASA I, with a negative medical history).
* Male or female gender.
* Age between 18 and 50 years.
* Good oral hygiene.
* That they agree to participate in the study, after reading and signing the Informed Consent for participation in clinical research.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Carriers of local alterations that contraindicate surgical intervention or complicate the postoperative period (example: acute phase pericoronitis in the last 30 days, ankylosis of the temporomandibular joint).
* Smokers,
* Presenting absence of upper and lower central incisors,
* With a medical history of photosensitivity
* During pregnancy or lactation,
* That they were using anti-inflammatories or analgesics,
* Allergic to any of the drugs used in the research (amoxicillin, ketorolac, acetaminophen, dexamethasone, chlorhexidine 2%, local anesthetics, sodium bisulfite, etc.)
* That during surgery they present any type of complication (bleeding, transoperative difficulties, etc.), because these cases are not included within the expected pattern behavior for this type of surgery (these cases will be reported),
* Surgical time greater than 90 minutes.

Where this trial is running

São Paulo, São Paulo

Study contacts

How to participate

  1. Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
  2. Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
  3. Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.
Conditions Molar, ThirdPhotobiomodulationphotobiomodulationcorticosteroidsextractionedemapainmouth opening
Last reviewed 2026-06-09 by the Find a Trial editorial team. Information on this page is for educational purposes and is not medical advice. Always consult qualified healthcare professionals about clinical trial participation.