Objective: To determine the effect of fibrotomy on mouth opening (MO) with diode lasers in patients with oral submucous fibrosis (OSMF).

Methods: Multiple databases were used to search for articles up to and including July 2022. Studies that reported using diode lasers for fibrotomy in OSMF patients were analyzed procedurally. Studies that fulfilled the inclusion criteria were then undertaken for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

Results: Five studies were included in this meta-analysis. The follow-up period ranged from 3 to 9 months. 980 nm was the wavelength of the diode lasers used in all the studies. Quantitative analysis showed a significant increase in MO after fibrotomy with lasers (Q value = 56.4, DF = 4, I2 = 92.91%).

Conclusion: Lasers benefit the patient and the surgeon more in fibrotomy procedures. More clinical trials evaluating additional clinical parameters would further validate the effects of laser therapy in OSMF patients. Lasers are safe, provide a clean surgical field, and heal with minimal scarring compared to the conventional use of a scalpel/blade.

Index Terms- Oral Submucous Fibrosis, oral fibrosis, diode lasers, trismus, lasers