Sharma K. et al. - Photobiomodulation and Periodontal Soft Tissue Surgery: Parameters and Outcomes, a Systematic Review

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This systematic review of 16 studies reports that photobiomodulation following periodontal surgery is associated with potentially beneficial effects on healing and pain, but that the results are inconsistent and some studies find no benefit. No optimal wavelength, dose, or frequency can be identified.

What this study measured

Periodontal soft-tissue surgery, such as gum grafts, results in healing and postoperative pain, and photobiomodulation is increasingly being studied as a way to improve these outcomes. However, protocols vary widely from one study to another, and it is difficult to determine which light characteristics are associated with better results.

Kratee Sharma and Sonal Mehrotra, from the Department of Periodontology at Teerthanker Mahaveer Dental College in India, therefore reviewed the photobiomodulation parameters used following periodontal surgery. They summarized the reported associations between these parameters and clinical outcomes: postoperative pain, healing, epithelialization, wound surface area, and graft-related outcomes. Randomized clinical trials were identified through a systematic literature search.

Key Findings

Sixteen studies published between 1993 and 2026 were included. A meta-analysis was not conducted due to significant heterogeneity in surgical procedures, light parameters, application techniques, treatment schedules, and outcome measures.

Wavelengths: 660 to 970 nm
Power, fluence, application method, duration, and frequency: highly variable
Reported effects: potentially improved wound healing, epithelialization, reduction in wound size, and postoperative pain in several studies
Consistency: inconsistent results, with some studies showing no improvement in pain or wound healing

The summary does not provide aggregated numerical values.

How photobiomodulation works for this indication

The abstract does not describe a specific mechanism. Generally speaking, it is proposed that red and near-infrared light, when absorbed by gum cells, may stimulate their activity and promote tissue repair. This hypothesis is not tested in the review, which describes clinical parameters and results.

Above all, the authors note that the diversity of parameters makes it impossible to link a specific dose to a benefit. This point is essential for interpreting the results: an effect observed with one protocol does not automatically apply to another.

Limits You Should Know

The review was unable to conduct a meta-analysis; therefore, no overall effect size was estimated. The studies differed in terms of the surgical procedures performed, lighting parameters, techniques, and outcome measures, and the incomplete description of these parameters limits the ability to compare protocols.

Some studies have reported no improvement in pain or wound healing despite photobiomodulation, and the methodological limitations of several trials add to these uncertainties. The abstract does not report a level of certainty according to the GRADE method. The authors conclude that the evidence does not allow for the identification of an optimal wavelength, dose, or treatment schedule.

What This Means in Practice

For a patient who is scheduled to undergo gum surgery, this review indicates that photobiomodulation may be considered as an adjunct to postoperative care, with potential but not guaranteed benefits. It does not specify a particular device or protocol.

The postoperative care prescribed by the periodontist or dentist remains the standard of care, and photobiomodulation is not a substitute for it. The authors call for larger-scale trials with a comprehensive description of the light parameters.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does photobiomodulation speed up gum healing?

Several studies in this review report potentially beneficial effects on wound healing and epithelialization, but the results are inconsistent, and some studies show no improvement.

Does photobiomodulation reduce pain after periodontal surgery?

Several studies report a reduction in postoperative pain, but not all of them. The authors emphasize the inconsistency of the results and the lack of standardization in the protocols.

What wavelength or dose should be used?

The review does not identify any optimal settings. The studies use wavelengths ranging from 660 to 970 nm, with widely varying power levels, fluences, and treatment schedules.

Reference

Sharma K, Mehrotra S. Photobiomodulation Treatment Parameters and Clinical Outcomes Following Periodontal Soft-Tissue Surgery: A Systematic Review. Cureus, 2026. PMID 42959900. DOI 10.7759/cureus.117156. View the study on PubMed

This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Photobiomodulation is not a substitute for prescribed treatment. Consult a healthcare professional.