Preventive Effect of Photobiomodulation in the Postoperative Period of Extractions of Retained Lower Third Molars

Third molar extraction is one of the most performed surgical procedures in Dentistry. A comfortable postoperative period and rapid return to daily activities increase the need to control the inflammatory response and its signs and symptoms such as pain, edema, and lockjaw. Therefore, the objective of this study is to evaluate the efficacy of the prophylactic use of Photobiomodulation in the reduction of edema in the postoperative period of extractions of retained lower third molars.The primary study variable will be postoperative edema measured in millimeters, 48 hours after surgery, and the secondary variables will be: pain, lockjaw, local temperature (measured with a thermographic camera), dysphagia, and the need to ingest nonsteroidal analgesics (Acetaminophen)These variables will be evaluated at the beginning of the study (baseline), at 2 and 7 days post-surgery. All adverse effects will be recorded. The data obtained will be represented by their means ± SD and the p value will be set at 0.05.