Maxillary labial frenectomy: a randomized, controlled comparative study of two blue (445 nm) and infrared (980 nm) diode lasers versus surgical scalpel

This study aimed to compare the intra and postoperative complications of frenectomy procedure with a surgical scalpel versus 445 nm and 980 nm diode lasers. This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 174 patients requiring maxillary labial frenectomy. After completion of fixed orthodontic treatment and primary closure of maxillary diastema, the patients were randomly assigned into three groups (n = 58): group 1 (frenectomy via 445 nm diode laser, continuous-wave, 1.5 W), group 2 (frenectomy via 980 nm laser, continuous-wave, 1.7 W), and control group (V-Y plasty technique via scalpel). Intra-operative bleeding, discomfort in chewing and speaking, pain, and tissue healing were compared among the groups immediately, at 7 and 30 days postoperatively using the Kruskal-Wallis, Mann-Whitney, and Chi-square tests. Pain scores were significantly lower in group 1 compared to group 2 (immediately and day 7, P