Evaluation of the effect of lowlevel diode laser therapy applied during the bone consolidation period following mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the human

Citation:
Abd-Elaal, A. Z., H. A. El-Mekawii, A. M. Saafan, Y. M. El-Hawary, and M. A. Abdelrazik, "Evaluation of the effect of lowlevel diode laser therapy applied during the bone consolidation period following mandibular distraction osteogenesis in the human", International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons, vol. 44, pp. 989–997, 2015.

Abstract:

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low-level laser therapy
(LLLT) on new bone formation obtained by distraction osteogenesis in the early
consolidation period. Ten selected patients with bilateral mandibular retrusion seen
at the Nasser Institute Hospital, Egypt between June 2009 and June 2012 underwent
this clinical trial; seven were female and three were male, and their mean age was
31  5.1 years. The left mandible of each patient was assigned to group A (n = 10)
and the right mandible to group B (n = 10); mandibular distraction osteogenesis was
performed on both sides and then LLLT was used in group B only. The amounts of
bone acquired were compared according to their radiographic density on digital
panoramic radiographs after 6, 12, 24, and 54 days of consolidation. Statistically
significant differences in bone density were found between the two groups. Group B
showed bone consolidation and growth differences on day 6 (P = 0.402), day 12
(P = 0.006), day 24 (P = 0.021), and day 54 (P = 0.028). The use of LLLT on
distracted bone was found to increase the quality and quantity of bone and to shorten
the consolidation period, allowing early removal of the distractor and resulting in
decreased morbidity and relapse.