Diode versus CO2 Laser Therapy in the Treatment of High Labial Frenulum Attachment: A Pilot Randomized, Double-Blinded Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: The labial frenula are triangular plicas departing from the alveolar mucosa and attaching themselves at different heights of the gingiva. Sometimes a high attachment can determine a gingival recession. The most suitable surgical resolution is the use of laser devices. The aim of this study was to compare the labial frenulectomy through the use of Diode and CO₂ laser techniques in pediatric patients with a high labial frenulum attachment, clarifying at the same time the preventive role of the surgical treatment to avoid further recession. Methods: A pilot randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted to compare both the surgical advantages and the preventive treatment of laser technology using two different wavelengths within a population of pediatric patients with a high labial frenulum attachment. Different parameters intra and post-surgery were taken into account (Bleeding, Wound Healing, Gingival Recession, Periodontal pocket and Numerical Scale Value for pain) to compare Diode versus CO₂ laser therapy. Results: Although both the laser devices provide a good performance in the post-operative period, the Diode laser shows better results (p < 0.001) in three of the five parameters evaluated. Conclusions: From the results it was found that the Diode Laser device is more suitable compared to the CO₂ device.

Keywords: CO2 laser; Diode laser; frenulectomy; labial frenulum; laser therapy; pediatric dentistry.

Figure 1

Diode laser: pre-operative evaluation (a,b), surgical wound (c), follow-up after seven days (d), follow-up afeter thirty days (e), follow-up after six months (f).

Figure 2

CO₂ laser: pre-operative evaluation (a,b), surgical wound (c), follow-up after seven days (d), follow-up afeter thirty days (e), follow-up after six months (f).