The efficacy of low-level 940 nm laser therapy with different energy intensities on bone healing.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level 940 nm laser therapy with energy intensities of 5, 10 and 20 J/cm2 on bone healing in an animal model. A total of 48 female adult Wistar rats underwent surgery to create bone defects in the right tibias. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was applied immediately after surgery and on post-operative days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 in three study groups with energy intensities of 5 J/cm2, 10 J/cm2 and 20 J/cm2 using a 940 nm Gallium-Aluminium-Arsenide (Ga-Al-As) laser, while one control group underwent only the tibia defect surgery. All animals were sacrificed 4 or 8 weeks post-surgery. Fibroblasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts and newly formed vessels were evaluated by a histological examination. No significant change was observed in the number of osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and newly formed vessels at either time period across all laser groups. Although LLLT with the 10 J/cm2 energy density increased fibroblast activity at the 4th week in comparison with the 5 and 20 J/cm2 groups, no significant change was observed between the laser groups and the control group. These results indicate that low-level 940 nm laser with different energy intensities may not have marked effects on the bone healing process in both phases of bone formation.

The efficacy of low-level 940 nm laser therapy with different energy intensities on bone healing

Abstract The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of low-level 940 nm laser therapy with energy intensities of 5, 10 and 20 J/cm2 on bone healing in an animal model. A total of 48 female adult Wistar rats underwent surgery to create bone defects in the right tibias. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) was applied immediately after surgery and on post-operative days 2, 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 in three study groups with energy intensities of 5 J/cm2, 10 J/cm2 and 20 J/cm2 using a 940 nm Gallium-Aluminium-Arsenide (Ga-Al-As) laser, while one control group underwent only the tibia defect surgery. All animals were sacrificed 4 or 8 weeks post-surgery. Fibroblasts, osteoblasts, osteocytes, osteoclasts and newly formed vessels were evaluated by a histological examination. No significant change was observed in the number of osteocytes, osteoblasts, osteoclasts and newly formed vessels at either time period across all laser groups. Although LLLT with the 10 J/cm2 energy density increased fibroblast activity at the 4th week in comparison with the 5 and 20 J/cm2 groups, no significant change was observed between the laser groups and the control group. These results indicate that low-level 940 nm laser with different energy intensities may not have marked effects on the bone healing process in both phases of bone formation.

Long-Term Outcome of Arthrocentesis Plus Hyaluronic Acid Injection in Patients With Wilkes Stage II and III Temporomandibular Joint Internal Derangement.

OBJECTIVE: Arthrocentesis is a minimally invasive procedure used to manage temporomandibular joint (TMJ) internal derangement (ID). This study evaluated the outcome of arthrocentesis in patients with Wilkes stage II and III TMJ ID. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This retrospective study enrolled 50 patients who underwent arthrocentesis in 2011 and 2012 at the Karadeniz Technical University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Turkey. In total, 43 patients underwent unilateral arthrocentesis, whereas 7 patients had bilateral arthrocentesis. The clinical parameters recorded were pain (visual analogue scale [VAS] 0-100 mm during movement), chewing function efficacy (VAS 0-100), clicking sounds, and mandibular movements, including maximum interincisal opening (MIO), lateral excursion, and protrusion. All the parameters were recorded preoperatively, and 1, 3, 6, and 24 months after treatment. RESULTS: The MIO, lateral excursion, and protrusion were significantly greater than preoperatively in all the patients. Pain declined significantly postoperatively. The patients in Wilkes III group had greater improvement in mandibular movement and pain than the patients in Wilkes II group. CONCLUSION: Arthrocentesis was reliable for treating both Wilkes II and III TMJ ID, and the treatment results were better in Wilkes III patients.

Short-term results of prolotherapy in the management of temporomandibular joint dislocation.

OBJECTIVE: Prolotherapy, the rehabilitation of ligaments or tendons by induced proliferation of cells by using dextrose, is a noninvasive and effective method for the treatment of temporomandibular joint (TMJ) dislocation. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy of prolotherapy method for the management of acute or chronic dislocation of TMJ. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In this study, 10 patients with TMJ dislocation (2 acute, 8 chronic) were examined retrospectively. All patients consisted of female patients, with a mean age of 28.4, who were treated with prolotherapy procedure. Differences of visual analog scale scores in quality of life, pain on function, and chewing function efficacy between sessions were investigated using the Wilcoxon t test and median values of sessions were evaluated using the Kruskal-Wallis H test. The amount of change at the maximum mouth opening occurring between the preoperative and postoperative values and the frequency of locking episodes were calculated, with results considered statistically significant at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Pain on function scores were significantly decreased in all patients, and TMJ locking were not observed during the follow-up period. Maximum mouth opening exhibited a tendency to decrease, but it was not statistically significant. Also, clicking sound on function presented no significant change (P > 0.05). On the other hand, the visual analog scale scores for quality of life showed significant improvement in all patients (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study show that prolotherapy can be used as an efficient, simple, and conservative method to treat TMJ dislocation.