A Scoping Review of the Efficacy of Diode Lasers Used for Minimally Invasive Exposure of Impacted Teeth or Teeth with Delayed Eruption

Abstract

Background: The use of diode lasers for oral surgery soft tissue procedures is associated with less pain and bleeding, quick recovery, and better surgical site visibility. Objectives: This scoping review identifies and analyses the evidence evaluating the efficacy of the diode laser surgical exposure of impacted teeth or teeth with delayed eruption (both with no overlaying bone) vs. conventional scalpel surgical exposure. Materials and Methods: The PubMed/Medline, SCOPUS, and Google Scholar databases were searched up to January 2022 for randomized clinical trials and case-control studies comparing diode laser impacted-tooth surgical exposure vs. conventional surgical methods. Furthermore, the surgical exposure of an impacted mandibular canine or premolars with a 940 nm (InGaAsP) diode laser was presented. Results: The literature search revealed no high-quality evidence. However, four prospective studies were identified. Diode laser application was associated with less pain or analgesic need, minimal/no bleeding, and no need for suturing after surgery. The laser wavelengths used were 808, 810, 935, and 980 nm. A comparison of the study outcomes was not possible; all the studies had methodological issues and their funding sources were not mentioned. Conclusions: Adequately powered clinical trials are needed for comparing outcomes from diode laser surgical exposure vs. conventional methods, identifying the ideal laser characteristics, and assessing the long-term periodontal health of laser-exposed teeth and any potential risks.