Thermographic and clinical evaluation of 808-nm laser photobiomodulation effects after third molar extraction.

BACKGROUND: A randomized, blind, controlled clinical study was conducted with a convenience sample of 24 patients to evaluate the effectiveness of an aluminum gallium arsenide (AlGaAs) infrared laser 808 nm after third molar extraction by the use of infrared thermography technique. METHODS: Patients were divided into four groups: erupted third molars were extracted from the patients in Group I and Group II, and impacted third molars were extracted from the patients in Group III and Group IV. Group I and Group III received mock laser therapy in which the device was powered off, and Group II and Group IV were exposed to laser light. Postoperative clinical parameters related to the third molar extraction were evaluated; these parameters included pain, trismus and edema. Circulatory patterns were also evaluated by infrared thermography that exhibited local temperature coefficient at different postoperative periods. RESULTS: A slight improvement was observed for swelling, pain and trismus in patients who received laser irradiation, although the differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Laser therapy had a significant influence on the local circulation in the area near the temporomandibular joint, as determined by infrared thermography (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Laser therapy was able to change the local circulation, although it did not significantly influence swelling, pain or trismus during the postoperative period.

Interradicular path of the mandibular canal / Trajeto interradicular do canal radicular

A case of an interradicular path of the mandibular canal of a 49-year-old female patient is presented. She reported paresthesia of the lower lip on the left side, associated with discomfort related to the lower third molar on the left. Panoramic radiography revealed narrowing and curving of the mandibular canal, when its image was superimposed over the image of the roots of this visibly rotated tooth. We emphasize that such uncommon characteristics have to be considered in the future as indicators of an interradicular path of the mandibular canal. Not only did the computerized tomography show the interradicular path of the mandibular canal, but also it registered its involvement by covergent dental roots. This condition had not been suspected from the panoramic image. Thus, this case stresses once again the complementary value of the different imaging examination methods