ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of LED and low-intensity laser on the healing of rabbit dental alveoli. METHODS: A total of 18 rabbits were divided into three groups of six; all rabbits underwent surgical extraction of the first lower right premolar. Following surgery, group 1 received LED irradiation, group 2 received laser irradiation, and group 3 were untreated controls. The initial applications of LED and laser began 48 h after tooth extraction and were given perpendicularly to the dental alveoli. The three groups were clinically evaluated for 18 days in the postoperative period. At 90 days, the rabbits were euthanized and the mandibular fragments containing the healing alveoli were collected. These fragments initially underwent computed tomography scans and bone density was measured in Hounsfield units. Following this, the fragments were processed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin for histological and histomorphometric analysis. RESULTS: The results were compatible between the clinical, histological, and histomorphometric parameters evaluated. There were no statistical differences between the LED and laser groups. However, the difference of the average bone density between laser and control group was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: It was found that photobiomodulation with LASER and LED presented effects. However, only the LED demonstrated a beneficial effect on the process of bone repair in the dental alveoli of rabbits.
