Abstract

Aim: The purpose of this research was to survey the effect of low-level laser irradiation time on socket healing in rats. Materials and methods: This randomized nonblinded animal study was done on 24 male rats that were divided into four groups. First maxillary molars of rats were extracted through general anesthesia, and laser was used in all four groups: first group with zero radiation time, second group with 3 minutes, third group with 5 minutes, and fourth group with 10 minutes of radiation by the diode laser (power: 100 mW, wavelength: 980 nm). Half of the rats (three rats) were sacrificed on the 3rd day and another half of rats were sacrificed on the 7th day. Then, the presence of angiogenesis, bone trabeculae, fibroblasts, neutrophil cells, macrophage cells, and lymphocyte cells was assessed. Data were analyzed by SPSS (version 21) using parametric tests. Results: Among 24 rats, on the 3rd day, the percentage of macrophage and bone trabecula increased significantly in the 5 minute group (p = 0.041 and p < 0.01, respectively). Other changes in days 3 and 7 were not statistically significant (p > 0.05). Conclusion: Low-level laser radiation can accelerate the process of tooth socket healing, which was particularly noticeable in the 5 minute radiation over 3 days. Clinical significance: Using a low-level laser can be helpful in accelerating the healing of the tooth socket and reduce the complications after tooth extraction.