Photobiomodulation Activates Microglia/Astrocytes and Relieves Neuropathic Pain in Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury.

Objective: This study aimed to determine microglial/astrocyte changes and their associated analgesic effect in inferior alveolar nerve injury (IANI) model rats treated with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using a 940-nm diode laser. Background: Very few basic studies have investigated microglial/astrocyte dynamics following PBMT aimed at relieving neuropathic pain caused by IANI. Methods: Rats were divided into an IANI-PBM group, IANI+PBM group, and sham+PBM group. Observations were made on the day before IANI or the sham operation and on postoperative days 3, 5, 7, 14, and 28. PBMT was delivered for 7 consecutive days, with an energy density of 8 J/cm2. Behavioral analysis was performed to determine pain thresholds, and immunohistological staining was performed for the microglia marker Iba1 and astrocyte marker glial fibrillary acidic protein, which are observed in the spinal trigeminal nucleus. Results: Behavioral analysis showed that the pain threshold returned to the preoperative level on postoperative day 14 in the IANI+PBM group, but decreased starting from postoperative day 1 and did not improve thereafter in the IANI-PBM group (p ≤ 0.001). Immunological analysis showed that microglial and astrocyte cell counts were similar in the IANI+PBM group and IANI-PBM group shortly after IANI (day 3), but the expression area was larger (p ≤ 0.001) and hypertrophy of microglia and astrocyte cell bodies and end-feet extension (i.e., indicators of activation) were more prominent in the IANI+PBM group. Conclusions: PBMT after IANI prevented hyperalgesia and allodynia by promoting glial cell activation shortly after injury.

CO2 Laser for Esthetic Healing of Injuries and Surgical Wounds with Small Parenchymal Defects in Oral Soft Tissues.

A number of studies have recently demonstrated the effectiveness of CO2 laser irradiation for the repair and regeneration of scar tissue from injuries or surgical wounds. However, such studies of the oral mucosa are highly limited. Previous studies using CO2 laser irradiation have indicated that two factors contribute to esthetic healing, namely, artificial scabs, which are a coagulated and carbonized blood layer formed on the wound surface, and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for suppressing wound scarring and promoting wound healing. This review outlines basic research and clinical studies of esthetic healing with the use of a CO2 laser for both artificial scab formation by high-intensity laser therapy and PBMT in the treatment of injuries and surgical wounds with small parenchymal defects in oral soft tissues. The results showed that the wound surface was covered by an artificial scab, enabling the accumulation of blood and the perfusion necessary for tissue regeneration and repair. Subsequent PBMT also downregulated the expression of transformation growth factor-b1, which is involved in tissue scarring, and decreased the appearance of myofibroblasts. Taken together, artificial scabs and PBMT using CO2 lasers contribute to the suppression of scarring in the tissue repair process, leading to favorable esthetic and functional outcomes of wound healing.

Healing of Open Upper Lip Vermillion Wounds Irradiated with CO2 Laser Immediately After Injury.

Objective: To evaluate the healing of open upper lip vermillion wounds irradiated with CO2 laser immediately after injury. Background: There are reports of using CO2 laser therapy on healed wounds for scar tissue reduction. However, limited data exist regarding its use immediately after an injury. Thus, the role of CO2 laser in wound healing remains unclear. Methods: Two patients with open upper lip vermillion wounds were treated using CO2 laser irradiation to the area postsuturing. Results: Good functional and aesthetic results were obtained from the therapy, with no postoperative pain complaints or infection. Conclusions: CO2 laser irradiation, performed immediately after an injury, could be an effective treatment option for open vermillion wounds.

Wound Healing and Cell Dynamics Including Mesenchymal and Dental Pulp Stem Cells Induced by Photobiomodulation Therapy: An Example of Socket-Preserving Effects after Tooth Extraction in Rats and a Literature Review.

High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) and photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) are two types of laser treatment. According to recent clinical reports, PBMT promotes wound healing after trauma or surgery. In addition, basic research has revealed that cell differentiation, proliferation, and activity and subsequent tissue activation and wound healing can be promoted. However, many points remain unclear regarding the mechanisms for wound healing induced by PBMT. Therefore, in this review, we present an example from our study of HILT and PBMT irradiation of tooth extraction wounds using two types of lasers with different characteristics (diode laser and carbon dioxide laser). Then, the effects of PBMT on the wound healing of bone tissues are reviewed from histological, biochemical, and cytological perspectives on the basis of our own study of the extraction socket as well as studies by other researchers. Furthermore, we consider the feasibility of treatment in which PBMT irradiation is applied to stem cells including dental pulp stem cells, the theme of this Special Issue, and we discuss research that has been reported on its effect.

Utility of High-Intensity Laser Therapy Combined with Photobiomodulation Therapy for Socket Preservation After Tooth Extraction.

Objective: High-intensity laser therapy (HILT) combined with photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) using a diode or CO2 laser was administered after extraction of the left first molar in rats. Effects on socket preservation (preservation of the alveolar bone and healing time after extraction) were evaluated histopathologically. Background: Irradiation using a diode or CO2 laser has been shown to hasten wound healing, but the effects remain controversial. Methods: Five-week-old male Wistar rats that underwent extraction of the left maxillary first molar were divided into three groups: diode laser irradiation (diode group), CO2 laser irradiation (CO2 group), and no laser irradiation (control group). HILT (27 J) was performed immediately after tooth extraction to enhance blood coagulation, followed by PBMT (0.7 J) 1 day later to enhance healing. Tissues, including the extraction socket, were removed en bloc 3, 5, 7, 10, and 21 days postextraction to determine the morphological characteristics of wound healing and the distribution of myofibroblasts involved in scar formation. Results: In the diode and CO2 groups, new bone formation and cancellous bone maturation were observed at an early stage of wound healing. The number of myofibroblasts was significantly lower in the laser treatment groups than the control (p < 0.001), and both treatment groups had a significantly higher alveolar crest height (p < 0.01), with almost no concavity in the mucosa of the extraction wound. Conclusions: Combined HILT and PBMT following tooth extraction hastened wound healing and preserved alveolar crest height, suggesting a role in socket preservation.

Chemical Transformation of an Intermediate in the Synthesis of Huperzine A, Leading to a Diverse Array of Molecules.

Chemical transformation of an early intermediate in our synthesis of huperzine A provided a diverse array of molecules in which a variety of functional groups could be embedded.

A comparative study of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging for the detection of mandibular canals and cross-sectional areas in diagnosis prior to dental implant treatment.

BACKGROUND: Computed tomography (CT) is effective in the diagnosis of dental implants. However, it has the disadvantage of exposing patients to high doses of x-rays, and the mandibular canals cannot be detected by CT in some clinical cases. PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the detectability of the anatomic morphology of the molar region in the lower jaw (where implantation is common) by CT and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), to compare the data, and to determine the usefulness of MRI in diagnosis prior to dental implant treatments. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Eleven female subjects (average age, 59 years) who had partially edentulous mandibles (total of 19 sites) were included in the study. CT and MRI were performed with the same subjects, and the degrees of identification of the mandibular canal in the first and second molar regions were compared. Dimensional accuracy in the second molar region was also compared. RESULTS: With CT, the canals of the first molar regions were not identified in 11 of 19 sites; however, MRI identified the canals in all 19 sites. Using the kappa index, we found that the inter- and intraobserver identification reliabilities (0.84 and 0.87, respectively) were excellent, especially for MRI. Dimensional positioning of the canal in the second molar region was almost the same with MRI as with CT. CONCLUSIONS: MRI is an alternative method in diagnosis prior to dental implant treatment in the mandibular molar region.