title: Effects of Superpulsed, Low-Level Laser Therapy on Neurosensory Recovery of the Inferior Alveolar Nerve.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of superpulsed, low-level laser therapy (SLLLT) on neurosensory recovery of the inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) after oral surgical injury.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  A survey of the literature reveals the uncertainty of outcomes for the surgical management of IAN injury and the efficacy of low-level laser therapy in the treatment of IAN injury.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this study, the authors report the results for SLLLT in 57 patients affected by paresthesia of the lip, chin, gingival, and buccal regions. Each patient was subjected to 10 laser treatments, once a week, with a GaAs diode laser. Clinical neurosensory tests (soft touch, 2-point discrimination, pin prick, thermal test) and the visual analogue scale were used before every treatment to evaluate the extent of neurosensory recovery.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The authors' results demonstrate that 83.3% of the patients had a significant neurosensory recovery, as evident in the objective and subjective tests.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The results reported in this study indicate that SLLLT has the potential to improve neurosensory recovery in patients with IAN paresthesia.
authors.affiliation: *Oral Surgery Unit, Dentistry Section, Department of Clinical Physiopathology, University of Turin†SIOM Oral Surgery and Implantology Center, Turin‡Department of Medical, Oral and Biotechnological Sciences, University of Chieti-Pescara, Chieti§Department of Health Sciences "A. Avogadro," University of Eastern Piedmont, Novara, Italy.
authors.forename: Renato
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Pol
authors.forename: Giorgia
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Gallesio
authors.forename: Massimo
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Riso
authors.forename: Tiziana
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ruggiero
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Scarano
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mortellaro
authors.forename: Marco
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mozzati
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002680:Chin / Q000294:innervation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008340:Mandibular Nerve / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008875:Middle Aged; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000379:methods*; D020127:Recovery of Function; D012677:Sensation / Q000502:physiology*; D061221:Trigeminal Nerve Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*