title: Effects of low-level laser therapy on bone regeneration of the midpalatal suture after rapid maxillary expansion.
abstract: This study evaluated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bone regeneration at the midpalatal suture (MPS) after rapid maxillary expansion (RME), using cone beam computed tomography. Fourteen 8-14-year-old patients with transverse maxillary deficiency underwent RME with a Hyrax-type expander activated with one full turn after installation and two half turn daily activations until achieving overcorrection. Patients were randomly assigned to either a control group (RME alone, n = 4) or an experimental group (n = 10) in which RME was followed by 12 LLLT sessions (GaAlAs, p = 70 mW, λ = 780 nm, Ø = 0.04 cm(2)). Two tomographic images of the MPS were obtained-T0, after disjunction and T1, after 4 months. Bone regeneration was evaluated by measuring the optical density (OD) on the tomographic images using InVivo Dental 5.0 software. Data were analyzed by the paired Student's t test (α = 0.05 %). A statistically significant difference between T0 and T1 OD values was observed in the laser-treated group (p = 0.00), but this difference was not significant in the control group (p = 0.20). Intergroup comparison of OD values at T1 revealed higher OD in the laser-treated group (p = 0.05). In conclusion, LLLT had a positive influence on bone regeneration of the midpalatal suture by accelerating the repair process.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60430160, Brazil. fnhf@yahoo.com.br.
authors.forename: Fabíola Nogueira Holanda
authors.initials: FN
authors.lastname: Ferreira
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60430160, Brazil.
authors.forename: Juliana Oliveira
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Gondim
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60430160, Brazil.
authors.forename: José Jeová Siebra Moreira
authors.initials: JJ
authors.lastname: Neto
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60430160, Brazil.
authors.forename: Pedro Cesar Fernandes
authors.initials: PC
authors.lastname: Dos Santos
authors.affiliation: Department of Restorative Dentistry, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil.
authors.forename: Karina Matthes
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: de Freitas Pontes
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60430160, Brazil.
authors.forename: Lúcio Mitsuo
authors.initials: LM
authors.lastname: Kurita
authors.affiliation: Department of Dental Clinics, School of Pharmacy, Dentistry and Nursing, Federal University of Ceará, Rua Alexandre Baraúna, 949 - Rodolfo Teófilo, Fortaleza, CE, CEP: 60430160, Brazil.
authors.forename: Maria Walderez Andrade
authors.initials: MW
authors.lastname: de Araújo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001861:Bone Regeneration / Q000528:radiation effects*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D010155:Palatal Expansion Technique; D010159:Palate / Q000528:radiation effects*
keywords: Bone remodeling; Cone beam computed tomography; Low-level laser therapy; Rapid maxillary expansion