Laser-assisted pontic site soft tissue healing prior to fixed partial dentures: a randomized placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

This randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial evaluated the clinical and biological effects of laser-assisted therapy on the healing of soft tissue at the pontic site prior to fixed partial denture rehabilitation.

METHODS

A total of 45 patients requiring a single-tooth extraction, followed by a three-unit fixed partial denture rehabilitation, were randomly allocated to one of three groups (n = 15 in each group). Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser (GRR laser), Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser (Nd: YAG) and placebo. Laser applications were performed once daily for five consecutive days following tooth extraction. Clinical healing was assessed using wound dimension measurements and the healing index (HI) at baseline, day 7, and day 14. Postoperative pain was evaluated using visual analog scale (VAS) scores recorded daily from postoperative day 1 to day 7. Gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) samples were collected at the same time points and analysed for transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) levels using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Intergroup and intragroup comparisons were performed using the appropriate statistical tests (α = 0.05).

RESULTS

No significant differences were observed among groups at baseline for any evaluated parameter (p > 0.05). At day 7 and day 14, significant intergroup differences were detected for wound dimensions, clinical healing index scores, VAS pain scores, and GCF TGF-β2 levels (p < 0.001). The GRR laser group demonstrated significantly greater wound size reduction, higher clinical healing index scores, lower postoperative pain levels, and higher TGF-β2 concentrations compared with the Nd: YAG laser and placebo groups. Nd: YAG laser group showed improved outcomes compared with placebo, although these differences were less significant than those observed in the GRR group.

CONCLUSIONS

Laser-assisted therapy accelerated the healing of soft tissue at the pontic site prior to fixed partial denture rehabilitation. The GRR laser protocol achieved superior clinical and biological outcomes compared to the Nd: YAG laser and the placebo. These results suggest that optimised low-level laser therapy (LLLT) could be a valuable additional treatment for accelerating pontic site maturation and making the prosthetic workflow more predictable.

TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT07415434, Retrospectively registered (09.02.2026).