Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a well-studied technique to induce biomodulation of pain and wound healing. The technique has been shown to improve recovery time and reduce pain and swelling in patients undergoing surgery, including orthognathic surgery, and has no known negative effects. Previous studies have used split-mouth designs, short follow-up periods or, often, both. This study aims to have two groups, one receiving LLLT and one receiving a dummy treatment, at 24 hours, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week, 4 week, 5 week, and 6 week post-op exams. At each visit, pain (via VAS), swelling (measured from the midpoint of the chin to the base of the ear, bilaterally), and nerve function (using a soft and hard sensory test, in 8 regions of the mandible and lower lip) will be performed, with additional measurements at 8 weeks and 20 weeks. The measurements will be analyzed for statistical differences between the LLLT intervention group and non-intervention group.
Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) is a well-studied technique that has been shown to improve recovery time and reduce pain and swelling in patients undergoing surgery, including orthognathic surgery, and has no known negative effects. This study will use two groups with patients randomly assigned to either the study group, receiving LLLT, or one receiving a placebo treatment, after they have lower jaw surgery. Measurements will be taken at 24 hours, 1 week, 2 week, 3 week, 4 week, 5 week, and 6 week post-op exams to check pain, swelling and nerve function, and the two groups will be compared to see if the LLLT group has any difference