Comparison of healing process of operculectomy with laser and surgical knife - a clinical study

Aim: To evaluate and compare the efficacy of conventional surgical knife to that of laser assisted excision of operculum in terms of patient comfort assessment, post-operative pain and healing. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in the department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Yenepoya Dental College, Mangalore. Study consisted of 20 patients with clinically diagnosed Pericoronitis who required excision of the Oerculum. They were divided in 2 groups: A and B. Group A comprised of cases were operculum was excised with surgical knife and group B comprised of cases were operculum was excised using picasso diode laser. Clinical parameters such as patient comfort, post-operative pain and healing were assessed and compared between two groups. Results: Group B showed significantly better results than Group A in terms of post-operative pain and wound healing. Conclusion: The use of diode laser in excision of operculum has several advantages over surgical knife such as enhanced haemostasis, less post-operative pain and a better post-operative healing. Therefore, lasers can be considered as a better and acceptable alternative for excision of pericoronal flaps.