Comparative Evaluation of Hyaluronic Acid Spray and Low-Level Laser Therapy on Wound Healing Following Gingivectomy

Gingival enlargement may impair oral hygiene, esthetics, and periodontal health, and gingivectomy is commonly performed when non-surgical treatment is insufficient. Because gingivectomy wounds heal by secondary intention, postoperative wound healing and pain control are clinically important. Low-level laser therapy and hyaluronic acid are adjunctive approaches that may support tissue healing through different biological mechanisms. This randomized controlled clinical trial compared the effects of topical 0.04% high-molecular-weight hyaluronic acid spray and low-level laser therapy on early wound healing and postoperative pain following gingivectomy. Sixty-four systemically healthy patients requiring gingivectomy were randomly assigned to receive either hyaluronic acid spray applied twice daily for 7 days or 940-nm diode laser therapy applied on postoperative days 0, 3, 5, and 7. Wound healing was assessed using standardized clinical photographs and digital planimetric analysis at baseline and on postoperative days 3, 7, and 14. Postoperative pain was evaluated using a visual analogue scale, and periodontal parameters were recorded at baseline and 6 weeks. The study aimed to compare these two adjunctive postoperative wound-management approaches after gingivectomy.

Inclusion Criteria: * Systemically healthy * Having chronic inflammatory gingival hyperplasia affecting at least 6 teeth symmetrically in the maxillary or mandibular anterior region with gingivectomy indication * No usage of any medication affecting periodontal tissues or causing gingival hyperplasia such as antiepileptics, immunosupresors or calcium channel blockers * No history of periodontitis with attachment and bone loss Exclusion Criteria: * Having systemic disease * Pregnancy or breastfeeding * Smoking * Inadequate oral hygiene * Antibiotic usage for the past six months