Comparing Laser and Scalpel for Soft Tissue Crown Lengthening: A Clinical Study

Abstract

<p>Crown lengthening procedure is aimed at exposure of sufficient crown structure accomplished by a gingivectomy, an apically positioned flap with osseous resection or the use of lasers. Our present clinical study is aimed to assess the clinical effectiveness of a diode laser for functional crown lengthening procedure and to compare it with the conventional procedure using the scalpel. Fourteen patients including males and females, aged 20- 40 years were recruited and divided into two groups to undergo crown lengthening either with the scalpel or the laser. The data obtained was analyzed for intergroup comparison with an Unpaired t-test and intragroup comparison was determined by ANOVA.</p><p>Analysis of the intergroup results for pain showcased that there was a significant difference (P&lt;0.002) in VAS scores of pain on the 3^rd day as well as on the 7^th day (P&lt;0.044), with patients in the laser group displaying significantly lower VAS scores compared to the scalpel group, but when both the groups were compared on the 10^thday, there was no significance (P&lt;0.14).</p><p>Intergroup comparison of the mean VAS scores for discomfort observed on the 3^rd, 7^th and the 10^th day of the study suggested that there was a significant difference of the VAS scores of discomfort on the 3^rd and the7^thdays, with the patients in the laser group displaying significantly lower VAS scores for discomfort compared with the scalpel.</p><p>Observations from the study emphasize that laser can be a safe and effective alternative to traditional crown lengthening performed with the scalpel.</p>