Effects of dexamethasone and Low-level laser therapy on pain, swelling and quality of life after buccal fat pad removal: a clinical trial

Abstract Purpose In the present study we aimed to compare the effects of low-level laser therapy and dexamethasone on the pain, swelling, and the quality-of-life of patients having buccal fat pad removal. Methods A total of 20 patients with pseudoherniation of buccal fat pad were included in the present study. The patients were divided randomly into two groups: the low-level laser therapy group (LLLT, 660nm, 100mW, 6s, 2J/cm2), and the dexamethasone group (DXM, 4mg every 8 hours for 3 days after the procedure). Pain levels were evaluated using a visual analogical scale (VAS) at day 2 and 4 postsurgery, while the edema was evaluated by measuring the distance between six reference points: tragus (Trag), pogonion of soft tissue (Pog), lateral corner of the eye (EC), the angle of the mandible (Gon), nose wing (NW,) and mouth commissure (MC) at days 2, 4, 7, 15, 30, 60 and 90. The quality-of-life was evaluated using the Oral Health Impact Profile (OHIP-14) questionnaire at days 2 and 4 after the surgery. Results There were no differences between the LLLT and the DXM groups in pain or edema. In terms of the quality-of-life, the LLLT group was significantly more comfortable when chewing than the DXM group (p Conclusion The use of LLLT at a power of 100mW and 2J/cm2 per point had similar effects to oral DXM for the control of pain and edema, as well as in the quality-of-life, except for masticatory function, which was significantly better in the LLLT group.