An evaluation of root resorption associated with the use of photobiomodulation during orthodontic treatment with clear aligners: a retrospective cohort pilot study.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the change in tooth root volume using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) in a group of patients treated concurrently with clear aligners and an adjunctive photobiomodulation (PBM) device. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This retrospective cohort pilot study included the records of 32 consecutively treated clear aligner patients (23 female, 9 male) from the private practice of one orthodontist. The PBM group (n = 16) used the device once per day for 5 minutes per arch and was compared with a matched control group (n = 16). A semiautomated segmentation technique was used to obtain tooth volume of anterior teeth from CBCT imaging prior to (T0) and during or immediately following (T1) orthodontic treatment with clear aligners. The change in root volume between time points was assessed. RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference between the pre- and posttreatment root volumes of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth, regardless of which intervention group the patient belonged to (P > .05). There was also no difference in the mean percentage change in root volume between clear aligner patients in this study who were treated with the PBM device compared with a matched control group (P > .05). CONCLUSIONS: Clear aligner patients in this study who changed their aligners every 3 to 5 days and used adjunctive photobiomodulation therapy did not experience clinically relevant orthodontically induced external root resorption. Due to the small sample size and measurement error in the root segmentation process, the results should be interpreted with caution.

Utilization of Photobiomodulation for the Prevention and Treatment of Oral Mucositis.

Background: Oral mucositis is a significant and common toxicity experienced by patients who receive high-dose chemotherapy as a preparatory regimen for a hematopoietic cell transplant (HCT). Photobiomodulation (PBM) has been found to be feasible with significant efficacy in preventing the progression of oral mucositis in adult patients undergoing HCT. The purpose of this study was to determine the feasibility and efficacy of PBM in pediatric oncology patients undergoing HCT. Method: Forty children and adolescents admitted to the transplant unit for an allogeneic HCT for acute lymphoblastic leukemia or acute myeloid leukemia were treated daily at six sites until day + 20 or engraftment. Results: There were 1,035 patient encounters, with successful treatment of four or more sites during 979 patient encounters for a feasibility 93.3% CI [0.926, 0.039]. We had estimated a meaningful effect size of 20% for PBM and estimated 51% of patients treated with PBM would have at least one day or more of Grade 3 mucositis. The rate of patients who received PBM and developed Grade 3 mucositis was 20% CI [0.091, 0.356]. Patients treated with PBM had fewer days of hospitalization (p = .009) and less severe mucositis in comparison to the matched control group (p = .03). Conclusion: PBM is feasible and effective in preventing and treating oral mucositis and is now supported by the Children's Oncology Group for prevention and treatment of oral mucositis in patients undergoing an allogeneic HCT or receiving head/neck radiation.

Combined effect of Cerium oxide nanoparticles loaded scaffold and photobiomodulation therapy on pain and neuronal regeneration following spinal cord injury: an experimental study.

BACKGROUND: Spinal cord injury (SCI) remained one of the challenges to treat due to its complicated mechanisms. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) accelerates neuronal regeneration. Cerium oxide nanoparticles (CeONPs) also eliminate free radicals in the environment. The present study aims to introduce a combined treatment method of making PCL scaffolds as microenvironments, seeded with CeONPs and the PBMT technique for SCI treatment. METHODS: The surgical hemi-section was used to induce SCI. Immediately after the SCI induction, the scaffold (Sc) was loaded with CeONPs implanted. PBMT began 30 min after SCI induction and lasted for up to 4 weeks. Fifty-six male rats were randomly divided into seven groups. Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) (an astrocyte marker), Connexin 43 (Con43) (a member of the gap junction), and gap junctions (GJ) (a marker for the transfer of ions and small molecules) expressions were evaluated. The behavioral evaluation was performed by BBB, Acetone, Von Frey, and radiant heat tests. RESULT: The SC + Nano + PBMT group exhibited the most remarkable recovery outcomes. Thermal hyperalgesia responses were mitigated, with the combined approach displaying the most effective relief. Mechanical allodynia and cold allodynia responses were also attenuated by treatments, demonstrating potential pain management benefits. CONCLUSION: These findings highlight the potential of PBMT, combined with CeONPs-loaded scaffolds, in promoting functional motor recovery and alleviating pain-related responses following SCI. The study underscores the intricate interplay between various interventions and their cumulative effects, informing future research directions for enhancing neural repair and pain management strategies in SCI contexts.

A 595 nm pulsed dye laser as an adjuvant intervention for post-comedone extraction erythema and comedone reduction: A randomized, split-face controlled trial.

BACKGROUND: Comedone extraction provides greater satisfaction for acne treatment than conventional treatment alone; however, post-comedone extraction erythema (PCEE) remains a concern for patients. OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the efficacy of pulsed-dye laser (PDL) in PCEE and comedone reduction. METHODS: Mild-to-moderate acne patients were randomly allocated in split-face fashion. Three comedones were extracted on each facial side. On the PDL-treated side, 595-nm PDL was delivered to the entire side with an additional shot on three comedone-extracted sites. Erythema index (EI) and total acne lesion counts (TALC) were evaluated at baseline, week 2 and 4. The comprehensive acne severity scale (CASS) was assessed by three blinded independent pediatric dermatologists. Participant satisfaction surveys were completed at the end of the study. RESULTS: Thirty-five participants (age 12.9-24.2 years) showed no differences in the EI and TALC at baseline on both sides. At weeks 2 and 4, the EI on the PDL-treated side was significantly lower (p < 0.001) with a greater EI reduction (p < 0.001) when compared to the control side regardless of gender and menstruation. There was significantly lower TALC on the PDL-treated side at week 2 (p < 0.001) and week 4 (p = 0.02). No complications were noted with high participant satisfaction reported (median 8; IQR 7-9). PDL remained significantly associated with EI improvements after controlling for gender, menstruation cycle, and examination stress. CONCLUSION: PDL can be an adjunctive intervention for the treatment of PCEE and comedone reduction due to its effectiveness and high participant satisfaction.

Investigator-blinded, controlled, and randomized comparative study on 1565 nm non-ablative fractional laser versus 5% minoxidil for treatment of androgenetic alopecia.

BACKGROUND: Characterized by progressive hair loss due to an excessive response to androgens, androgenetic alopecia (AGA) affects up to 50% of males and females. Minoxidil is one of approved medications for AGA but inadequate responses occur in many patients. AIMS: To determine whether 1565 nm non-ablative fractional laser (NAFL) could yield better therapeutic benefits for patients with AGA as compared with 5% minoxidil. METHODS: Thirty patients with AGA were enrolled; they were randomly assigned into the laser or minoxidil treatment groups. For the laser treatment group, patients were treated by 1565 nm NAFL at 10 mJ, 250 spots/cm2 with 2 weeks intervals for 4 sessions in total. For the minoxidil treatment group, 1-milliliter of topical 5% minoxidil solution was applied to hair loss area twice a day. RESULTS: The primary outcomes were the changes in numerous hair growth indexes at the Week 10 as compared with the baselines. Both 1565 nm NAFL and 5% minoxidil led to significantly greater hair densities and diameters in patients at the Week 10 than the baselines (p < 0.01). As compared with 5% minoxidil, 1565 nm NAFL showed significantly greater improvements in total hair number, total hair density (hair/cm2), terminal hair number, terminal hair density (hair/cm2), number of hair follicle units, and average hair number/number of hair follicle units. CONCLUSIONS: Our data demonstrate that 1565 nm NAFL exhibits superior clinical efficacy in some aspects of hair growth to the topical minoxidil. It is a safe and effective modality in treating AGA.

Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy in the management of oral mucositis in patients with head and neck cancer: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

Numerous studies have examined the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in reducing chemoradiotherapy (CRT)-induced oral mucositis (OM) in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC). Despite this, there is an urgent need to update the meta-analyses on this topic. This meta-analysis aims to explore the impact of PBMT on CRT-induced OM in these patients. We conducted a systematic search in PubMed, Embase, Cochrane, LILACS, and Web of Science from January 2000 to October 2023. This search focused on randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that assessed the effects of PBMT on CRT-induced OM. The study included a total of 14 RCTs encompassing 869 patients with HNC. The incidence of OM in the PBMT group was significantly lower from the second week onwards compared to the control group (RR = 0.49, CI = 0.25-0.97, I2 = 71%, p = 0.04), and this was present until the seventh week (RR = 0.77, CI = 0.61-0.99, I2 = 89%, p = 0.04). Furthermore, the occurrence of severe mucositis in the PBMT group decreased from the third week (RR = 0.51, CI = 0.29-0.90, I2 = 12%, p = 0.02) until the conclusion of the intervention (RR = 0.45, CI = 0.24-0.85, I2 = 80%, p = 0.01). Additionally, PBMT showed beneficial effects in alleviating OM-related pain (WMD = -1.09, 95% CI = -1.38 to -0.880, I2 = 13%, p < 0.00001). The use of He-Ne or InGaAlP lasers with a power range of 10-25 mW demonstrated the most favorable outcomes in preventing and treating OM. PBMT has shown considerable efficacy in reducing the incidence, severity, and pain associated with OM in patients with HNC. Future studies are encouraged to further investigate the most effective parameters for PBMT in the management of OM.

Therapeutic efficacy and safety of home-based portable laser irradiation on patients with wrist pain: a single-blinded randomized controlled trial.

The purpose of this study is to confirm the effect of small, portable low-level laser therapy (light sources in square configuration: 830 nm GaAs diode 3.2 mW at the center, 4 × 650 nm InGaAIP diodes over the corners) treatment in reducing and enhancing hand function in patients with wrist pain. This study was a prospective, randomized, sham-controlled, and home-based self-therapy trial. A total of thirty subjects with wrist pain were enrolled. All participants received low-level laser therapy on painful area at the wrist. The experimental group (n = 15) received laser stimulation, while the control group (n = 15) received sham stimulation using identical equipment that generated only a red light without the laser output. Both groups self-treated for 30 min a day, 5 days per week for 3 weeks, total of 15 sessions. The primary outcome was assessed using a visual analogue scale (VAS) for wrist pain from 0 (painless) to 10 (extreme pain). The secondary outcomes were measured with patient-rated wrist evaluation (PRWE), grip strength, lateral, palmar, and tip pinch strength. Measures were taken before and after treatment. A total of thirty participants provided outcome data. After the intervention, both groups showed a significant decrease in VAS score, from 4.93 to 3.67 in experimental group, from 5.53 to 4.00 in control group (the experiment group: p = 0.020, the control group: p = 0.003). The experimental group showed a significant improvement in function scale score (p = 0.012), the control group did not. Lateral and pinch strength was significantly improved in the experimental group (p = 0.017) and in the control group (p = 0.034) respectively. There were no side effects in the patients. Medical laser irradiation is a portable and easy-to-use laser irradiator without side effects. Clinical Trial Registration number: KCT0006604.

Photobiomodulation for melasma treatment: Integrative review and state of the art.

PURPOSE: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) is a versatile technique for treating skin diseases. Melasma, a chronic hyperpigmentation condition, has recently been associated with vascular features and dermal photoaging and poses significant management challenges. We review the recent literature on melasma etiology and the evidence supporting PBM as a therapeutic modality for melasma treatment. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive literature search in three different databases from May to August 2023, focusing on studies published in the past 10 years. The inclusion criteria comprised full-text studies investigating low-power lasers and/or light-emitting diodes (LEDs) in in vitro or in vivo models, as well as clinical trials. We excluded studies discussing alternative melasma therapies or lacking experimental data. We identified additional studies by searching the reference lists of the selected articles. RESULTS: We identified nine relevant studies. Clinical studies, in agreement with in vitro experiments and animal models, suggest that PBM effectively reduces melasma-associated hyperpigmentation. Specific wavelengths (red: 630 nm; amber: 585 and 590 nm; infrared: 830 and 850 nm) at radiant exposures between 1 and 20 J/cm2 exert modulatory effects on tyrosinase activity, gene expression, and protein synthesis of melanocytic pathway components, and thus significantly reduce the melanin content. Additionally, PBM is effective in improving the dermal structure and reducing erythema and neovascularization, features recently identified as pathological components of melasma. CONCLUSION: PBM emerges as a promising, contemporary, and non-invasive procedure for treating melasma. Beyond its role in inhibiting melanogenesis, PBM shows potential in reducing erythema and vascularization and improving dermal conditions. However, robust and well-designed clinical trials are needed to determine optimal light parameters and to evaluate the effects of PBM on melasma thoroughly.

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.

Laser treatment for adverse reactions to injectable facial filling: a systematic review.

Facial filling is widespread in society, albeit associated with inherent risks. This review analyzes clinical studies using laser therapy for filler complications to assess its safety and efficacy as an alternative treatment. A literature search was conducted up until April 2023, encompassing five different databases: PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Medline, to find clinical trials addressing patients who underwent laser treatment for adverse reactions to injectable facial filling. The outcome variables were the clinical assessment of the lesion and the occurrence of post-intervention complications/sequelae. The risk of bias was assessed using the ROBINS-I tool. In total, six studies were included, all classified as having a "moderate risk" of bias. A total of 533 patients underwent laser treatment for adverse reactions to injectable facial fillers. The diode laser was the most frequently utilized equipment, with positive results reported in five studies. Among all treated patients, 96.24% achieved partial or complete resolution, 0.22% experienced some sequelae or complications, and only 0.01% showed no improvement. Laser treatment can eliminate the necessity for surgical intervention for adverse reactions to injectable facial fillers, resulting in partial or complete improvement of the condition.

Photobiomodulation therapy assisted orthodontic tooth movement: potential implications, challenges, and new perspectives. / ­­æ¿€å ‰å ‰å­ç”Ÿç‰©è°ƒèŠ‚ç–—æ³•è¾ 助正畸牙齿移动：潜在的作用、挑战与新观点.

Over the past decade, dramatic progress has been made in dental research areas involving laser therapy. The photobiomodulatory effect of laser light regulates the behavior of periodontal tissues and promotes damaged tissues to heal faster. Additionally, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT), a non-invasive treatment, when applied in orthodontics, contributes to alleviating pain and reducing inflammation induced by orthodontic forces, along with improving tissue healing processes. Moreover, PBMT is attracting more attention as a possible approach to prevent the incidence of orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR) during orthodontic treatment (OT) due to its capacity to modulate inflammatory, apoptotic, and anti-antioxidant responses. However, a systematic review revealed that PBMT has only a moderate grade of evidence-based effectiveness during orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in relation to OIIRR, casting doubt on its beneficial effects. In PBMT-assisted orthodontics, delivering sufficient energy to the tooth root to achieve optimal stimulation is challenging due to the exponential attenuation of light penetration in periodontal tissues. The penetration of light to the root surface is another crucial unknown factor. Both the penetration depth and distribution of light in periodontal tissues are unknown. Thus, advanced approaches specific to orthodontic application of PBMT need to be established to overcome these limitations. This review explores possibilities for improving the application and effectiveness of PBMT during OTM. The aim was to investigate the current evidence related to the underlying mechanisms of action of PBMT on various periodontal tissues and cells, with a special focus on immunomodulatory effects during OTM.

Efficacy of photobiomodulation in the treatment of oral mucositis in patients undergoing antineoplastic therapy: systematic review and meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation in the treatment of oral mucositis. METHODS: Systematic review and meta-analysis encompassing in the electronic databases: LILACS, MEDLINE, EMBASE, COCHRANE, SCOPUS, WEB OF SCIENCE, and CINAHL and in http://clinicaltrials.gov . Eligibility criteria were randomized, non-randomized, and observational studies that used photobiomodulation for the treatment of oral mucositis. The endpoints were reduction in the severity of oral mucositis, duration of lesions, and pain reduction. For data analysis, the Review Manager 5.4 program was used. RESULTS: A total of 316 studies were identified, 297 in the electronic databases and 19 in http://clinicaltrials.gov . After removing duplicates, 260 studies were selected for title and abstract reading, of which 223 were excluded. A total of 37 studies were chosen for full reading, of which 6 were included in the review, totaling 299 patients. The treatment used was photobiomodulation. The patients were divided into two groups: the laser group used only photobiomodulation or associated with other therapies, and the control group did not use photobiomodulation. For the endpoint reduction in the severity of oral mucositis (OM), the chance of reduction of the OM was greater in the laser group as compared to the control group. For the endpoints duration of OM lesions and pain reduction, it was not possible to carry out a meta-analysis due to the high heterogeneity between studies. In the interpretation of the meta-analysis, the reduction in the severity of oral mucositis was greater in the group that received photobiomodulation. CONCLUSION: Photobiomodulation was effective in the treatment of oral mucositis.

A Retrospective Review of Laser Therapy for Treatment of Hidradenitis Suppurativa.

PURPOSE: Hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) is a chronic inflammatory disease characterized by painful and foul-smelling cystic nodules and sinus tracts in the apocrine gland-bearing regions. The treatment options include topical, intralesional, systemic, and surgical modalities. Currently, the most novel therapy is laser therapy to provide localized treatment without systemic adverse effects. However, data regarding patient outcomes after laser treatment are limited because of the low prevalence of this disease. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of laser therapy as a treatment modality for patients with HS. METHODS: A retrospective review cohort analysis of patients with HS undergoing laser treatment between 2016 and 2021 was conducted. Patient demographics, lesion location(s), Hurley stage, age of onset and diagnosis, treatment length, type, outcomes, and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: Ninety-four patients met the inclusion criteria; on average, patients were treated with 5.8 laser sessions for 14.8 months with no complications and minor blood loss. Hidradenitis suppurativa progression commonly starts during puberty, with a median onset of 13.8 years and diagnosis of HS at 16.2 years. All patients (n = 94) showed an improvement in HS disease severity: 59.6% completed treatment, 12.0% are currently undergoing treatment, and 26.0% were lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Laser therapy is an effective and safe therapy for HS leading to improved quality of life and should be considered in the treatment and management of HS.

Ablative Laser Therapy of Skin.

Laser skin rejuvenation was introduced in the mid-1990s. Early ablative laser devices relied on scanner technology that provided significant ablation and longer time on tissue treatments. These early treatments provided significant improvement in the appearance of the skin, but because of the longer treatment times and in some cases excessive treatment, complications such as scarring and hypopigmentation were significant. More recent advances in skin resurfacing technology have now minimized these risks providing certain key principles are observed. These parameters are reviewed in detail to improve the reader's ability to propose and execute proper skin resurfacing treatments.

[Evaluation of low intensity Nd: YAG laser and traditional drugs in the treatment of myofascial pain].

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy of low intensity Nd: YAG laser and traditional drugs in the treatment of myofascial pain (MP). METHODS: Eighty patients with MP were divided into laser group(n=40) and traditional medicine group(n=40) according to the principle of randomization and double-blindness. The patients in the laser group were treated with low intensity Nd :YAG laser(1 064 nm, 8 J/cm2, 250 mW) , with an interval of 48 h between the two laser treatments. The whole course of treatment was 10 times. Patients in the traditional medicine group uesd celecoxib capsules, 1 capsulet each time(0.2 g), twice a day for 2 weeks. Before and after each treatment, mouth opening, protrusion excursion, lateral movement of the affected side and lateral movement of the contralateral side were measured, and pain visual analogue scores (VAS) were measured and recorded. The data were statistically analyzed with SPSS 22.0 software package. RESULTS: Patients in laser group had significantly improved mandibular function and movement status(P＜0.05) and pain symptoms(P＜0.05); patients in traditional medicine group had the same significant improvement on mandibular functional movement status(P＜0.05) and pain symptoms (P＜0.05). The total effective rate of the two groups had no significant difference(P＞0.05). The VAS score of patients in laser group was lower than that of traditional medicine group, but the difference was not significant(P＞0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Low intensity Nd: YAG laser and traditional medicine can effectively relieve the symptoms of myofascial pain and improve mandibular function and movement. Laser treatment has the advantages of short course of treatment, high efficiency, no pain and fewer side effects, which is worthy of clinical application.

A new method to treat onychopapilloma with pulsed dye laser irradiation: a 13-case series report.

Purpose: Onychopapilloma is a rare benign nail tumor affecting the distal matrix and the nail bed. Currently, the only available treatment is surgical resection, which has a recurrence rate of 20% and may lead to various complications. Here we report a new method to treat onychopapilloma with pulsed dye laser (PDL).Materials and methods: We retrospectively analyzed 13 cases and evaluated disease classification, dermoscopic examination, laser treatment parameters, photographs before and after treatment, and treatment outcome.Results: The site distribution of onychopapilloma was consistent with previous reports. PDL treatment was performed with 595 nm laser, with 1.5 ms pulse duration, spot diameter 3-5 mm, and 11.5-13.5 J/cm2 fluence. Irradiation covered the telangiectatic area up to the edge of the nail folds, with the terminal response of purpura occurrence. The overall effective rate was 77%; the effective rates for erythronychia, leukonychia, and melanonychia were 88%, 67%, and 50%, respectively.Conclusions: PDL treatment for onychopapilloma provides an alternative to traditional surgery with comparable effectiveness but much less risk for complications.

Non-surgical adjunctive interventions for accelerating tooth movement in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment.

BACKGROUND: Deviation from a normal bite can be defined as malocclusion. Orthodontic treatment takes 20 months on average to correct malocclusion. Accelerating the rate of tooth movement may help to reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment and associated unwanted effects including orthodontically induced inflammatory root resorption (OIIRR), demineralisation and reduced patient motivation and compliance. Several non-surgical adjuncts have been advocated with the aim of accelerating the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM).         OBJECTIVES: To assess the effect of non-surgical adjunctive interventions on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement and the overall duration of treatment. SEARCH METHODS: An information specialist searched five bibliographic databases up to 6 September 2022 and used additional search methods to identify published, unpublished and ongoing studies. SELECTION CRITERIA: We included randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of people receiving orthodontic treatment using fixed or removable appliances along with non-surgical adjunctive interventions to accelerate tooth movement. We excluded split-mouth studies and studies that involved people who were treated with orthognathic surgery, or who had cleft lip or palate, or other craniofacial syndromes or deformities. DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS: Two review authors were responsible for study selection, risk of bias assessment and data extraction; they carried out these tasks independently. Disagreements were resolved by discussion amongst the review team to reach consensus.  MAIN RESULTS: We included 23 studies, none of which were rated as low risk of bias overall. We categorised the included studies as testing light vibrational forces or photobiomodulation, the latter including low level laser therapy and light emitting diode. The studies assessed non-surgical interventions added to fixed or removable orthodontic appliances compared to treatment without the adjunct. A total of 1027 participants (children and adults) were recruited with loss to follow-up ranging from 0% to 27% of the original samples.  Certainty of the evidence For all comparisons and outcomes presented below, the certainty of the evidence is low to very low. Light vibrational forces  Eleven studies assessed how applying light vibrational forces (LVF) affected orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). There was no evidence of a difference between the intervention and control groups for duration of orthodontic treatment (MD -0.61 months, 95% confidence interval (CI) -2.44 to 1.22; 2 studies, 77 participants); total number of orthodontic appliance adjustment visits (MD -0.32 visits, 95% CI -1.69 to 1.05; 2 studies, 77 participants); orthodontic tooth movement during the early alignment stage (reduction of lower incisor irregularity (LII)) at 4-6 weeks (MD 0.12 mm, 95% CI -1.77 to 2.01; 3 studies, 144 participants), or 10-16 weeks (MD -0.18 mm, 95% CI -1.20 to 0.83; 4 studies, 175 participants); rate of canine distalisation (MD -0.01 mm/month, 95% CI -0.20 to 0.18; 2 studies, 40 participants); or rate of OTM during en masse space closure (MD 0.10 mm per month, 95% CI -0.08 to 0.29; 2 studies, 81 participants). No evidence of a difference was found between LVF and control groups in rate of OTM when using removable orthodontic aligners. Nor did the studies show evidence of a difference between groups for our secondary outcomes, including patient perception of pain, patient-reported need for analgesics at different stages of treatment and harms or side effects.  Photobiomodulation Ten studies assessed the effect of applying low level laser therapy (LLLT) on rate of OTM. We found that participants in the LLLT group had a statistically significantly shorter length of time for the teeth to align in the early stages of treatment (MD -50 days, 95% CI -58 to -42; 2 studies, 62 participants) and required fewer appointments (-2.3, 95% CI -2.5 to -2.0; 2 studies, 125 participants). There was no evidence of a difference between the LLLT and control groups in OTM when assessed as percentage reduction in LII in the first month of alignment (1.63%, 95% CI -2.60 to 5.86; 2 studies, 56 participants) or in the second month (percentage reduction MD 3.75%, 95% CI -1.74 to 9.24; 2 studies, 56 participants). However, LLLT resulted in an increase in OTM during the space closure stage in the maxillary arch (MD 0.18 mm/month, 95% CI 0.05 to 0.33; 1 study; 65 participants; very low level of certainty) and the mandibular arch (right side MD 0.16 mm/month, 95% CI 0.12 to 0.19; 1 study; 65 participants). In addition, LLLT resulted in an increased  rate of OTM during maxillary canine retraction (MD 0.01 mm/month, 95% CI 0 to 0.02; 1 study, 37 participants). These  findings were not clinically significant. The studies showed no evidence of a difference between groups for our secondary outcomes, including OIIRR, periodontal health and patient perception of pain at early stages of treatment. Two studies assessed the influence of applying light-emitting diode (LED) on OTM. Participants in the LED group required a significantly shorter time to align the mandibular arch compared to the control group (MD -24.50 days, 95% CI -42.45 to -6.55, 1 study, 34 participants). There is no evidence that LED application increased the rate of OTM during maxillary canine retraction (MD 0.01 mm/month, 95% CI 0 to 0.02; P = 0.28; 1 study, 39 participants ). In terms of secondary outcomes, one study assessed patient perception of pain and found no evidence of a difference between groups.   AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS: The evidence from randomised controlled trials concerning the effectiveness of non-surgical interventions to accelerate orthodontic treatment is of low to very low certainty. It suggests that there is no additional benefit of light vibrational forces or photobiomodulation for reducing the duration of orthodontic treatment. Although there may be a limited benefit from photobiomodulation application for accelerating discrete treatment phases, these results have to be interpreted with caution due to their questionable clinical significance. Further well-designed, rigorous RCTs with longer follow-up periods spanning from start to completion of orthodontic treatment are required to determine whether non-surgical interventions may reduce the duration of orthodontic treatment by a clinically significant amount, with minimal adverse effects.

Safety and Efficacy of a Novel, Variable-Sequenced, Long-Pulsed, 532-nm and 1,064-nm Laser With Cryogen Spray Cooling for Pigmented and Vascular Lesions.

BACKGROUND: Patients frequently seek treatment for vascular and pigmented lesions. More recently, a novel, variable-sequenced, long-pulsed, 532-nm and 1,064-nm laser with cryogen spray cooling was developed to offer greater flexibility in treatments. OBJECTIVE: A prospective clinical trial evaluated the safety and efficacy of a novel, variable-sequenced, long-pulsed, 532-nm and 1,064-nm laser with cryogen spray cooling (DermaV, Lutronic, South Korea). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Subjects with vascular and/or pigmented lesions were enrolled and underwent laser treatments. RESULTS: Twenty-three subjects were enrolled with vascular lesions (39.1%), pigmented lesions (17.4%), and both (43.5%). Mean age was 53.1 years, and 91.3% were women. Fitzpatrick skin types II-IV were included. All subjects were treated with 532 nm, and 4 were also treated with 1,064 nm. According to 4 blinded physician reviewers, correct before and after photographs were selected in 94.7%, 92.1%, 84.2%, and 76.3% of cases. Overall, 86.8% were responders, meaning that at least 3 of 4 reviewers agreed. For Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale, improvement occurred in 81.6%, 81.6%, 81.6%, and 76.3% of cases. No serious adverse events occurred. Overall, 87.0% of subjects reported being very satisfied or satisfied. CONCLUSION: A novel, variable-sequenced, long-pulsed, 532-nm and 1,064-nm laser with cryogen spray cooling can safely and effectively improve vascular and pigmented lesions.

Antimicrobial photodynamic therapy for the treatment of oral mucositis-A comparative study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim was to evaluate the effectiveness of photobiomodulation and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy in the treatment of oral mucositis. BACKGROUND: Oral Mucositis is a frequent complication of oral cavity and oropharynx cancer. Considering the OM aggravation by microorganisms contamination, disinfection provide by antimicrobial photodynamic therapy could be an effective approach. MATERIAL AND METHODS: This comparative study included fourteen patients undergoing radiochemotherapy for oral cavity and oropharynx cancer treatment, who developed oral mucositis. CONTROL GROUP: photobiomodulation. Intervention group: photobiomodulation and antimicrobial photodynamic therapy. The lesion size, duration, pain, and identification of microorganisms were evaluated. RESULTS: The mean reduction in oral mucositis size in the intervention group was 0.70 cm² (±0.35) and 0.30 cm² (±1.10) for the control group. The mean duration of oral mucositis was 18.37 days (±12.12) for the intervention group and 23 days (±14.78) for the control group. The intervention group had a mean reduction of 3.40 points on the pain scale (±2.44), while the control group had 0.17 (±2.28). In the intervention group, the predominant isolated microbiota was featured as mixed culture (n = 4/ 50%), followed of Gram Positive (n = 3/ 37.50%), and Gram Negative (n = 1/ 12.55%). In the control group, mixed culture was also more frequent (n = 4 / 66%), followed by Gram Positive (n = 2 /34%). Gram Negative was not predominantly isolated in the control group. CONCLUSION: No statistical significance was found between PBM-T alone and PBM-T + PDT. However, the better outcomes reached by PBM-T + PDT group would suggest there could be a role for combined treatment in the management of OM lesions.