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Chapter 112Low-level laser/light therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation therapy 10, can be used to prevent postoperative pain, and improves local circulation and increases vasodilatation. LLLT may be beneficial for reducing pain during the administration of local anesthesia. With LLLT, patients receive a dose of low-laser light beams on the injections site, varying from 632 to 904 nm, prior to administration of local anesthesia. The precise mechanism underlying the effects of LLLT is not fully known, but the positive reported benefits include photobiomodulation of cellular proliferation, reduced oxidant radical formation, and improved tissue metabolism.11 It is assumed that LLLT interrupts the pain-associated neurosensory pathway.12 Moreover, it has been hypothesized that patients who receive a dental injection—e.g. local anesthesia or mandibular block anesthesia—would suffer less pain and anxiety following preinjectional treatment with LLLT. The removal of third molars can have a great impact on patients, potentially leading to temporary pain, swelling of the cheek, trismus, feeding problems, and reduced activities of daily life. A large prospective study conducted in the United States of America assessed complications following the removal of 8,748 third molars. The reported complications included alveolar osteitis (7.4%), inferior alveolar nerve injury (1.6%), trismus (1.2%), and postoperative infection (1.1%) of the extraction site.13Overall, the surgical removal of third molars will lead to a significant decrease in the oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL), especially during the first 5 postoperative days.14 Postoperative interventions to reduce inflammatory complications after third mandibular molar surgery include analgesics, antibiotics, corticosteroids, mouthwashes, topical gels, cryotherapy, and ozone therapy.15 One well-known therapy to decrease postoperative sequelae after third molar removal is the application of a iodine tampon in the extraction site for a short postoperative period.16 This drainage of the extraction site can lead to reduced pain, swelling of the cheek, trismus, and infections.17Another method for reducing postoperative surgical complications is the use of a Monoject syringe filled with tap water to irrigate the extraction wound after third molar removal, which results in significantly reduced postoperative alveolar osteitis and pain.18