title: Laser therapy improves healing of bone defects submitted to autologous bone graft.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of the present study was to assess histologically the effect of low-level laser thrapy (LLLT) (lambda 830 nm) on the healing of bone defects associated with autologous bone graft.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  LLLT has been used on the modulation of bone healing because of the photo-physical and photochemical properties of some wavelengths. The use of correct and appropriate parameters has been shown to be effective in the promotion of a positive biomodulative effect on the healing bone.
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixty male Wistar rats were divided into four groups: G1 (control), G2 (LLLT on the surgical bed), G3 (LLLT on the graft), and G4 (LLLT on both the graft and the surgical bed). The dose per session was 10 J/cm(2), and it was applied to the surgical bed (G2/G4) and on the bone graft (G3/G4). LLLT was carried out every other day for 15 days (lambda 830 nm, phi = 0.5 cm(2), 50 Mw, 10 J/cm(2)). The dose was fractioned in four points. The animals were sacrificed 15, 21, and 30 days after surgery; specimens were taken and routinely processed (wax, cut, and stain with H&E and Sirius red stains). Light microscopic analysis was performed by a pathologist.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the groups in which the LLLT was used trans-operatively on the surgical bed (G2/G4), bone remodeling was both quantitatively and qualitatively more evident when compared to subjects of groups G1 and G3.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The present study indicates that the use of LLLT trans-operatively resulted in a positive biomodulative effect on the healing of bone defects associated with autologous bone grafts.
authors.affiliation: School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Brazil.
authors.forename: João Batista B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Antonio Luiz B
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Pinheiro
authors.forename: Marília G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: de Oliveira
authors.forename: Flávio Augusto M
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: Oliveira
authors.forename: Luciana Maria P
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Ramalho
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000528:radiation effects*; D016025:Bone Transplantation; D005269:Femur / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000637:transplantation; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous