Bone healing after low-level laser application in extraction sockets grafted with allograft material and covered with a resorbable collagen dressing: a pilot histological evaluation.
BACKGROUND
Our aim was to determine whether low level laser therapy (LLLT) can decrease the time between extraction/socket graft and implant placement, by evaluating histological changes in sockets grafted with a particulate allograft material and treated with LLLT.


METHODS
Thirty patients had a socket grafted with a particulate allograft material (MinerOss) covered with a resorbable collagen wound dressing. The patients were then randomly divided into two equal groups (n = 15): test group receiving postoperative LLLT treatment, and control group without postoperative laser treatment. The assessment of bone formation was carried out in both groups at well-determined time intervals after surgery by histostomorphometric analysis.


RESULTS
The histological results of the site treated with LLLT for 21 days, harvested at 60 days after grafting showed abundant new bone formation without any sign of inflammation. The same results were obtained in the control group not before 120 days post-surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
It can be concluded that LLLT photobiomodulation can reduce the healing time after grafting the extraction socket. Histological evidence suggests that new bone formation in the sockets appeared within 60 days after LLLT treatment compared to a minimum of 120 days in the control group.
Department of Odontology and Oral Pathology, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu Mureș, Romania. adriana.monea@gmail.com.
Adriana
A
Monea
Department of Tooth Morphology and Dental Materials, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu Mureș, Romania. gabriela.beresescu@gmail.com.
Gabriela
G
Beresescu
Sorin
S
Boeriu
Department of Morphopatology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu Mureș, Romania. tmezei@pathologia.ro.
Mezei
M
Tibor
Department of Prosthetics and Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu Mureș, Romania. sorinpopsor@gmail.com.
Sorin
S
Popsor
Department of Prosthetics and Oral Rehabilitation, Faculty of Dental Medicine, University of Medicine and Pharmacy Tirgu-Mures, Tirgu Mureș, Romania. dragosantonescu@hotmail.com.
Dragos Mihai
DM
Antonescu
D001458:Bandages; D018786:Bone Substitutes / Q000627:therapeutic use; D003094:Collagen / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015921:Dental Implants; D006801:Humans; D010012:Osteogenesis; D014081:Tooth Extraction; D020390:Tooth Socket; D014945:Wound Healing
D018786:Bone Substitutes; D015921:Dental Implants; C000621423:MinerOss; D003094:Collagen