title: The Radiological and Stereological Analysis of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Mandibular Midline Distraction Osteogenesis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone mineral density by using high-resolution computerized tomography (HR-CT) and stereology in patients subjected to mandibular midline distraction.
  
  
  METHODS
  Nine patients between the ages of 13 and 16 years with mandibular transverse deficiency (>5 mm) were evaluated. Mandibular midline distraction osteogenesis was performed for all the patients. The patients were divided into 2 groups: the control group (n = 4) and the laser group (n = 5). GaAlAs, 830 nm wavelength, power of 40 mW, energy of 8.4 J/cm2 dose per spot, was directly applied from 2 points on the mandibular midline. The laser was applied in 8 treatment sessions at 48-hour intervals. Bone mineral density and volume of the newly formed bone were analyzed using HR-CT and stereological methods.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A higher bone mineral density rate was found in the laser group (P < 0.05). A higher newly formed immature bone rate was found in the control group (P < 0.001). These findings suggest that more mature bone may also have a greater mineral organization than that of immature newly formed bone, which is shown by HR-CT and stereological results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The retention period can be shortened and mineralization may be increased by using LLLT in mandibular distraction osteogenesis.
authors.affiliation: *Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun †Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Biruni University, Istanbul ‡Department of Radiology, Faculty of Medicine, Ondokuz Mayis University §Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Ondokuz Mayis University, Samsun, Turkey.
authors.forename: Nilüfer
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Çakir-Özkan
authors.forename: Cihan
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bereket
authors.forename: Nursel
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Arici
authors.forename: Muzaffer
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elmali
authors.forename: Ismail
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Şener
authors.forename: Esengül
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Bekar
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery; D015519:Bone Density / Q000528:radiation effects; D002113:Calcification, Physiologic / Q000528:radiation effects; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008334:Mandible / Q000528:radiation effects / Q000601:surgery*; D010012:Osteogenesis / Q000528:radiation effects; D019857:Osteogenesis, Distraction / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D010147:Pain Measurement; D010149:Postoperative Pain / Q000209:etiology; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D014057:Tomography, X-Ray Computed / Q000379:methods