Proceedings Article | 29 February 2016
Vanda Carneiro, Francisco Limeira, Marleny Gerbi, Rebeca Menezes, Alexandrino Santos-Neto, Natália Araújo
KEYWORDS: Bone, Laser dentistry, Semiconductor lasers, Diodes, Continuous wave operation, Beam controllers, Surgery, Microscopy, Lasers in dentistry, Laser therapeutics, Tissues, Particles, Laser tissue interaction, Neodymium
The aim of the present study was to histologically assess the effect of laser
therapy (AsGaAl, 830nm, 40mW, CW, φ ~0,6mm, 16J/cm2 per session, four points of 4J/cm2)
on the repair of surgical defects created in the femur of Wistar rats. Background data: Several
techniques have been proposed for the correction of bone defects, including the use of grafts and
membranes. Despite the increase in the use of laser therapy for the biomodulation of bone
repair, very few studies have assessed the associations between laser light and biomaterials.
Method: The defects were filled with synthetic micro granular hydroxyapatite (HA) Gen-phos®
implants and associated with bovine bone membranes (Gen-derm®). Surgical bone defects were
created in 48 rats and divided into four groups: Group IA (control, n=12); Group IB (laser,
n=12); Group IIA (HA + membrane, n=12); Group IIB (HA + membrane + laser, n=12). The
irradiated groups received the first irradiation immediately after surgery. This radiation was then
repeated seven times every 48h. The animals were sacrificed after 15, 21, and 30 days. Results:
When comparing the groups irradiated with implants and membranes, it was found that the
repair of the defects submitted to laser therapy occurred more quickly, starting 15 and 21 days
after surgery. By the 30th day, the level of repair of the defects was similar in the irradiated and
the non-irradiated groups. New bone formation was confirmed inside the cavity by the implant’s
osteoconduction. In the irradiated groups, there was an increment of this new bone formation.
Conclusions: In conclusion, the use of laser therapy, particularly when associated with
hydroxyapatite and biological membranes, produced a positive biomodulation effect on the
healing process of bone defects on the femurs of rats.