The surgical sites were irradiated with a diode laser (980 nm, 0.2W) only.

Assessed using Landry's healing index which grades the wound on a scale of 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)

• Very poor (1): ≥50% of gingiva red, bleeding on palpation, Granulation tissue present, Non-epithelialized incision margin with loss of epithelium beyond the margin.
• Poor (2): ≥50% of gingiva red, bleeding on palpation, Granulation tissue present, Non-epithelialized incision margin with exposed connective tissue
• Good (3): ≥25% and<50% of gingiva red, No bleeding on palpation, no granulation tissue, No exposed connective tissue on the incision margin
• Very good (4): <25% of gingiva red, No bleeding on palpation, no granulation tissue, No exposed connective tissue on the incision margin
• Excellent (5): All tissues are pink, No bleeding on palpation, no granulation tissue, No exposed connective tissue on the incision margin

This was assessed using Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). Patients were instructed to chart their perceptions of pain using VAS ranging from 0-10; where 0 represents no pain/burning sensation and 10 represents severe pain/burning sensation.