Influence of carbon dioxide laser irradiation on the healing process of extraction sockets.
OBJECTIVE
To clarify the healing-promoting effects of carbon dioxide laser irradiation in high and low reactive-level laser therapies (HLLT and LLLT, respectively) on extraction sockets after tooth extraction.


METHODS
Forty-two 5-week-old male Wistar rats were divided into laser irradiation and non-irradiation (control) groups and compared. The laser-irradiation group underwent HLLT immediately after tooth extraction and then LLLT 1 day post-extraction. Tissue was excised 6 h and 3, 7, or 21 days after extraction and histopathologically investigated. The alveolar crest height was measured osteomorphometrically 21 days post-extraction, and granulation tissue in the extraction socket surface layer was immunohistologically investigated using anti-α-smooth muscle actin (anti-α-SMA) antibody 3 and 7 days post-extraction.


RESULTS
Many osteoclasts appeared and active bone resorption was noted in the irradiation group 3 days after extraction compared to the controls. On Day 7, new bone formation started around the extraction socket in the control group, but from the superficial to over the middle layer of the socket in the irradiation group. On Day 21, a concavity existed in the alveolar crest region in the controls, whereas this region was flat, with no concavity, in the irradiation group. On osteomorphometry, the alveolar crest height was significantly higher in the irradiation (0.7791 ± 0.0122) than the control (0.6516 ± 0.0181) group (P < 0.05). On immunostaining, many α-SMA-positive cells were noted in the control group, but very few in the irradiation group.


CONCLUSIONS
Laser-irradiated extraction wound healing showed characteristics different from those of the normal healing process, suggesting a favorable healing-promoting effect.
Fukuoka
Hiroshi
H
Department of Oral Rehabilitation, Fukuoka Dental College, Japan. satuma@college.fdcnet.ac.jp
Daigo
Yuki
Y
Enoki
Norio
N
Taniguchi
Kunihisa
K
Sato
Hironobu
H
D000199:Actins / Q000032:analysis; D000818:Animals; D016723:Bone Remodeling / Q000528:radiation effects*; D002245:Carbon Dioxide; D006097:Granulation Tissue; D054020:Lasers, Gas / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy; D008297:Male; D058628:Myofibroblasts / Q000502:physiology*; D010010:Osteoclasts / Q000502:physiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket / Q000528:radiation effects*; D014945:Wound Healing / Q000528:radiation effects*
D000199:Actins; D002245:Carbon Dioxide