Abstract:

Objective  To compare the efficacy of traditional bur and Erbium Yttrium-Aluminum-Garnet(Er：YAG) laser osteotomy in the extraction of low vertically impacted mandibular third molars, so as to provide guidance for clinical treatments.

Methods  A total of 60 patients admitted with low vertically impacted mandibular third molars who received dental extraction were selected and randomly divided into two groups,traditional high-speed bur group(traditional bur group, n=30)and Er：YAG laser osteotomy group(laser group, n=30) according to different osteotomy methods. The visual analogue scale(VAS) score of postoperative pain at 1, 3 and 7 d after surgery, facial swelling and mouth opening limitation at 3 and 7 d after surgery were compared between two groups.

Results  The VAS score of postoperative pain in the two groups decreased with the prolongation of time, which was lower in the laser group than in the traditional bur group; The differences of interaction between groups, time points and time points between groups were statistically significant(P＜0.05). On the 3rd day after surgery, the degree of facial swelling and mouth opening limitation in the laser group were significantly lower than those in the traditional bur group(P＜0.05), while on the 7th day, there was no difference between two groups(P＞0.05).

Conclusion  Compared with traditional high-speed bur, Er: YAG laser osteotomy can better reduce the postoperative pain, facial swelling and mouth opening limitation after the extraction of low vertically impacted mandibular third molars, which is worthy of popularization and application in clinical practice.

Key words: tooth, impacted, lasers, solid-state, dental extraction