Histological evaluation of the effect of low-level laser on distraction osteogenesis in rabbit mandibles.
OBJECTIVE
This study evaluated the action of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on the percentage of newly formed bone in rabbit mandibles that underwent distraction osteogenesis (DO).


METHODS
Ten rabbits underwent bone lengthening according to the following protocol: Latency - 3 days; Activation - 7 days 0.7 mm/d; and Consolidation - 10 days. The control group was composed of 4 rabbits. The experimental group, composed of 6 rabbits, received infrared GaAlAs LLLT (wavelength=830 nm, P=40 mW) according to the following protocol: point dose of 10 J/cm(2) applied directly on the bone site that underwent DO during bone consolidation at 48-hour intervals.


RESULTS
The percentage of newly formed bone was greater in the LLLT group (57.89%) than in the control group (46.75%) (p=0.006).


CONCLUSIONS
The results suggest that LLLT had a positive effect on the percentage of newly formed bone. Better-quality bone sites may allow early removal of the osteogenic distractors, thus shortening total treatment time.
Kreisner
Paulo-Eduardo
PE
School of Dentistry, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil.
Blaya
Diego-Segatto
DS
Gaião
Lêonilson
L
Maciel-Santos
Marconi-Eduardo-Sousa
ME
Etges
Adriana
A
Santana-Filho
Manoel
M
de Oliveira
Marília-Gerhardt
MG
D000818:Animals; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008334:Mandible / Q000033:anatomy & histology* / Q000528:radiation effects* / Q000601:surgery; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction; D011817:Rabbits