Evaluation of Neodymium-Doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet Laser, Scalpel Incision Wounds, and Low-Level Laser Therapy for Wound Healing in Rabbit Oral Mucosa: A Pilot Study

Objective: The aim of the present randomized controlled clinical trial was to assess the clinical and histopathological effects of laser and low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on healing of the oral mucosa after vestibuloplasty surgery. Methods: The alterations at the end of healing in scalpel- and laser-incised and LLLT-applied oral mucosa were studied in eight healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits by taking specimens for light microscopic inspection. For the evaluation of wound healing, the surgical areas were stained using a solution (Mira-2-tones), and the stained surfaces were measured horizontally immediately after the surgery and on postoperative days 4, 7, and 10. Results: Although the stained surface areas of the groups were similar immediately after the surgical procedures, the LLLT-applied sites had significantly fewer stained surface areas than the other groups on postoperative days 4, 7, and 10. Areas of hyperkeratosis and parakeratinization were observed in the epithelia of the laser surgery groups. A significant increase in epithelial thickness was found, suggesting increased scar tissue after wound repair; long and irregular connective tissue protrusions projecting into the undersurface of the epithelium were noted in these groups. Conclusion: LLLT used for soft tissue operations provides better and faster wound healing, and LLLT enhances epithelization.