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The Evidence for MLS® Laser Therapy:
Post-Surgical Recovery
Last updated: August 2026
MLS® laser therapy nearly doubled patient satisfaction after wisdom tooth extraction — 94.5% versus 52.5% at day 1 — while reducing pain (5.7 vs. 8.9 on a 0–10 scale) in a double-blind, randomised, sham-controlled trial of 42 patients (Doan et al.).
Across four published studies covering oral surgery, dental implant surgery, joint replacement, and minor surgical wounds, MLS® has consistently reduced post-operative pain and accelerated recovery, spanning one randomised controlled trial, one retrospective split-mouth comparative study, one large multi-condition retrospective case review, and one real-world clinical audit.
Quick summary
Condition Design n Key result Wisdom tooth extraction Double-blind RCT 42 Pain 5.7 vs. 8.9; satisfaction 94.5% vs. 52.5% at day 1 Dental implant surgery (post-menopausal women) Retrospective split-mouth study 26 (65 implants) Implant survival 100% vs. 96.9%; bone gain +0.12mm vs. −0.56mm Joint replacement / mixed post-surgical conditions Retrospective case review 235 Pain −57% after 3 sessions, −87% after 6 sessions Nail surgery Real-world clinical audit — Healing time reduced from 6 weeks to 4 weeks How to read this evidence
The studies below are grouped by design, from strongest (a randomised, blinded trial) to supporting (retrospective reviews and a clinical audit). Randomised, blinded comparisons against a sham control give the most reliable estimate of effect; retrospective chart reviews and practice audits reflect genuine real-world outcomes but carry more risk of bias since patients weren’t randomly assigned. We’ve labeled each accordingly.
Does MLS® laser reduce pain after wisdom tooth extraction?
Randomised controlled trials
Surgical extraction of impacted wisdom teeth. In a double-blind, randomised, controlled trial, 42 patients undergoing surgical extraction of impacted third molars (168 teeth total) were randomly assigned to receive either a single application of MLS® Mphi laser therapy immediately after extraction (21 patients) or sham laser treatment (21 patients), with neither patients nor the treating clinician aware of group assignment. At day 1 and day 7, the MLS® group reported significantly less pain (5.7 vs. 8.9 on a 0–10 scale), less swelling, less bleeding, less speech impairment, and required fewer days of analgesics than the sham group (all p<0.05). Overall satisfaction was dramatically higher in the MLS® group at day 1 (94.5% vs. 52.5%) and day 7 (94.1% vs. 61.5%), with the two groups converging by one month once both had fully healed.
Source: Doan N, Nguyen-Pham L, Cokim S. “A Measure of Post-Operative Satisfaction After Application of Mphi Therapeutic Laser for Pain Management in Patients with Surgical Extraction of Impacted Third Molars.” Energy for Health, [15]:4-8. Read the study (PDF)
Does MLS® laser improve outcomes after dental implant surgery?
Retrospective comparative study
Dental implant surgery in post-menopausal women. In a retrospective split-mouth study of 26 post-menopausal women (age 50+) who underwent bilateral flapless dental implant surgery in the posterior maxilla, 65 implants were divided into an MLS® laser-treated group (33 implants, treated on days 1, 7, and 28) and a sham-treated control group (32 implants). The MLS® side showed significantly less pain and swelling and significantly higher patient satisfaction at day 1 and one week (p<0.05), with implant survival of 100% versus 96.9% in the control group at 6 months. At 6 months, the MLS® side showed a small bone gain (+0.12mm) compared to bone loss on the control side (−0.56mm), a statistically significant difference.
Source: Doan N, Duong QT. “Evaluation of Therapeutic Effects of MLS® on the Outcomes of Flapless Dental Implant Surgery in Posterior Maxilla of Post Menopause Women.” Energy for Health, [18]:9-11. Read the study (PDF)
Does MLS® laser speed recovery after joint replacement surgery?
Retrospective clinical case review
Post-operative joint replacement and mixed surgical/orthopedic conditions. In a retrospective review of 235 patient charts from a US pain clinic, patients recovering from total knee replacement and total hip replacement who received MLS® laser therapy reported an average 57% decrease in pain after 3 treatment sessions and an 87% decrease after 6 sessions, with 76% reporting satisfaction of “good” or better. Across all 11 tracked conditions in the review — including post-fracture recovery, tendonitis, and contusion/sprain — patients averaged a 46% pain reduction after 3 sessions and 55% after 6 sessions, with no patient experiencing treatment-related pain and no lasting adverse effects reported across the full 235-patient sample.
Source: Blevins B, Simoncic J. “Effect of MLS® Laser Therapy on Patient Pain and Satisfaction: A Retrospective Study.” Sedalia Laser Pain Center. Read the study (PDF)
Does MLS® laser speed healing after nail surgery?
Real-world clinical audit
Nail surgery wound healing. In a clinical practice audit, patients undergoing nail surgery who received MLS® laser therapy as part of their post-operative treatment package healed an average of 2 weeks faster than the clinic’s typical recovery timeline, reducing average healing time from 6 weeks to 4 weeks.
Source: Smith A. “Nail Surgery Audit by Adam Smith Podiatry & Healthcare — Demonstrates 2 Week Reduction in Healing Times with MLS® Laser Therapy.” Read the audit summary
This page summarises independently published research on MLS® laser therapy for post-surgical recovery. It is provided for clinical and educational reference and does not replace individualised clinical judgment. Heal with Laser is the exclusive distributor of ASA Laser MLS® technology in Australia and New Zealand.