Effectiveness of Laser Therapy and Laser Acupuncture on Treating Paraesthesia After Extraction of Lower Third Molars.

Objective: This randomized clinical trial evaluated the sensitive return of the lower alveolar nerve (LAN) using two photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) techniques, after the extraction of lower third molars or implant surgery. Materials and methods: Sixty participants with sensory impairment of LAN were randomly divided into three groups (n = 20): group C-systemic medication (control-ETNA®, 01 capsule, 8/8 h, 30 days); group laser therapy (LT) (808 nm, 100 mW, 40 sec/point, 4 J/point, intra/extraoral, irradiation following nerve path); group laser acupuncture (LA) (same parameters as the LT group, applied at six acupuncture points on the affected side (ST 4 [Dicang], M-HN-18 [Jiachengjiang], CV 24 [Chengjiang], ST 5 [Daying], ST 6 [Jiache], and point A1 [YNSA]). The following evaluations were performed, at predetermined times: general perception of paresthesia, thermal perception, vibratory mechanical perception, two-point discrimination, pain perception, and tactile perception. Data were analyzed by two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the Tukey, except for the two-point discrimination, which was analyzed using the chi-square test. Results: In general and thermal perception, both PBMTs had better results than control; regarding cold perception, only the LT group was statistically superior to control. LA presented inferior results of neural regeneration for tests of perception of pain and tactile at the lip, and of tactile perception at the chin. In the other tests, there was no statistical difference among the groups. Conclusions: LT and the conventional drug treatment had the same effectiveness and both were superior to LA for the treatment of paresthesia of the LAN after oral surgeries.

In situ Effect of CO2 Laser (9.3 µm) Irradiation Combined with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 Solution in Prevention and Control of Erosive Tooth Wear in Human Enamel.

OBJECTIVES: This single-blind, controlled crossover in situ study aimed to evaluate the effect of CO2 laser (9.3 µm) irradiation combined with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution on prevention and control of erosive tooth wear (ETW) in human enamel. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two trial conditions were analyzed, condition 1 as ETW prevention (sound tooth surface) and condition 2 as ETW control (in vitro initial erosive lesion). The experiment was conducted in 2 phases, one with and one without exposure to AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution. Hundred and ninety-two samples of human enamel (3 × 3 × 1 mm) were randomly divided into 4 experimental groups for each condition: C, without treatment (negative control); F, AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution (positive control); L, CO2 laser irradiation; and L + F, CO2 laser + AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution. Twelve volunteers used a removable device, each containing 8 samples per phase. Ex vivo erosive challenges (4 × 5 min/day) and rinsing protocol (1 × 30 s/day) were performed. The surface loss was determined using optical profilometer (n = 12 per group), and the surface morphology was observed with scanning electron microscopy (n = 3). RESULTS: In condition 1, data were analyzed by one-way ANOVA and condition 2 by two-way repeated-measures ANOVA, both with Tukey post hoc tests (α = 5%). In condition 1, groups L (4.59 ± 2.95 µm) and L + F (1.58 ± 1.24 µm) showed significantly less surface loss in preventing ETW than groups C and F. In condition 2, in controlling the progression of ETW, L + F was the only group with no significant surface loss between initial erosive lesion (3.65 ± 0.16 µm) and after erosive challenge (4.99 ± 1.17 µm). CONCLUSIONS: CO2 9.3-µm laser application prevented and controlled ETW progression in human enamel, with greater efficiency when combined with AmF/NaF/SnCl2 solution application.

Laser therapy on points of acupuncture: Are there benefits in dentistry?

Studies have shown the use of laser therapy at points of acupuncture as an alternative to metal needles. The scientific literature in the area of laser acupuncture is rather large; however, the actual mechanisms and effects have not yet been proven in detail. Therefore, the current manuscript reviews the existing literature regarding the effects of laser acupuncture in Dentistry, seeking treatment modalities in which this technique is used and which are able to generate positive clinical results. Thus, the literature survey was conducted in electronic databases--Medline/Pubmed, VHL and Science Direct--using the uniterms "alternative medicine", "low-power laser and acupuncture", "laser acupuncture and dentistry" and "laser therapy and acupuncture". Retrospective and prospective clinical studies were considered. According to the findings of the literature, laser therapy at points of acupuncture was effective for the treatment of various orofacial problems encountered in dentistry, but there are still many differences among the parameters used for irradiation and there is a lack of important information reported by the studies, such as the wavelength, dose, power density, irradiation time and frequency, points of acupuncture selected for irradiation and therapy outcomes. Although these results indicate the potential benefit of the use of laser therapy at points of acupuncture on Dentistry, further double-blinded, controlled clinical trials should be carried out in order to standardize protocols for clinical application.