Effects of low-level laser therapy on bone regeneration of the midpalatal suture after rapid maxillary expansion. Issue 5 (July 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ferreira, Fabíola; Gondim, Juliana; Neto, José; Santos, Pedro; Freitas Pontes, Karina; Kurita, Lúcio; Araújo, Maria
• Is Part Of: Lasers in medical science. Volume 31:Issue 5(2016)
• Page Start: 907
• Page End: 913
• Publication Date: 2016-07
• Subjects: Low-level laser therapy -- Rapid maxillary expansion -- Bone remodeling -- Cone beam computed tomography; Lasers in medicine -- Periodicals; 610.28
• DOI: 10.1007/s10103-016-1933-8
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0268-8921

Abstract

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 cm2 ). 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'st 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.