RESUMEN
Orthognathic surgery is the surgical procedure that makes correcting deformities of the bones in the region of the maxilla and mandible a reality in the Brazilian dentistry. However, this type of surgery usually involves paresthesia in the postoperative period, concerning the surgeons who perform them and generating discomfort to patients. This study aimed at evaluating the effect of infrared laser (830 nm) in the prevention and treatment of paresthesias after orthognathic surgery. Six patients underwent orthognathic surgery: the experimental group composed of 4 patients and the control group that did not receive laser therapy composed of 2 patients. The experimental group received laser applications during the transoperative and 12 postoperative sessions. Tests for mechanical (deep and shallow) and thermal (cold) sensitivity were performed in the preoperative and postoperative period (during 12 sessions) in the lip and chin areas by the same operator. The paresthesia was classified into 1, strong; 2, moderate; 3, mild; and 4, absent, through the patient's response to stimuli. The results showed that all patients had no disturbance of sensitivity in the preoperative period, but paresthesia was presented at various levels in the postoperative period. Both groups showed recovery of deep mechanical sensitivity within a shorter time interval compared with the superficial mechanical and thermal sensitivity. However, at the 12th assessment, patients who underwent the laser therapy showed better reduction in the level of paresthesia or even complete regression of this. The laser, therefore, brought benefits to the treatment of paresthesia, accelerating the return of neurosensorial sensitivity.
Asunto(s)
Láseres de Semiconductores/uso terapéutico , Terapia por Luz de Baja Intensidad/métodos , Procedimientos Quirúrgicos Ortognáticos/métodos , Parestesia/prevención & control , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/prevención & control , Adulto , Mentón/patología , Femenino , Mentoplastia/métodos , Humanos , Enfermedades de los Labios/prevención & control , Enfermedades de los Labios/terapia , Masculino , Mandíbula/cirugía , Maxilar/cirugía , Osteotomía/métodos , Osteotomía Le Fort/métodos , Osteotomía Sagital de Rama Mandibular/métodos , Parestesia/terapia , Complicaciones Posoperatorias/terapia , Sensación Térmica/fisiología , Tacto/fisiología , Resultado del Tratamiento , Adulto JovenRESUMEN
Local pain management is the most critical aspect of patient care in dentistry. The improvements in agents and techniques for local anesthesia are probably the most significant advances that have occurred in dental science. This article provides an update on the most recently introduced local anesthetic agents along with new technologies used to deliver local anesthetics. Safety devices are also discussed, along with an innovative method for reducing the annoying numbness of the lip and tongue following local anesthesia.