Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Peri-Implant Crestal Bone Loss and Pain Reduction during Initial Healing Period

Abstract

BACKGROUND In recent days a high success rate has been documented for dental implants as a treatment option for missing teeth replacement. Low level laser therapy (LLLT) is a novel therapeutic modality reported to enhance bone healing. Few studies reported that LLLT enhances proliferation and differentiation of osteoblasts and also reduces postoperative pain. The purpose of this study was to assess if post-operative lowlevel laser irradiation of the implant site has any influence on crestal bone loss and pain reduction around dental implants. METHODS In this split mouth randomised study, 9 subjects with bilateral edentulous sites in the mandibular posterior region willing for replacement were taken into consideration. A total of 30 implants were placed on either side of the mandible followed by Low Level Laser irradiation on the test side immediately after implant placement, on 4th and 7th day. Crestal bone level assessment was done radiographically at 3 months and post-operative pain was assessed using visual analogue scale (VAS) scoring by patients from baseline to 6 days. Statistical analysis was done using unpaired t test for inter group crestal bone loss and Mann-Whitney U test for intergroup pain reduction scores. RESULTS The mean crestal bone loss of control group was 1.40 with a standard deviation of 0.39 and for test group it was 0.76 with a standard deviation of 0.26. A significant difference was observed between control and test groups with respect to crestal bone loss scores at 3 months. On comparing VAS pain scores between the two groups from day 1 to 6, significant difference between the groups was observed on day 2, 3 and 4 with P-values 0.042, 0.0011, 0.0036 respectively. CONCLUSIONS Low level irradiation around the dental implants showed a significant reduction in crestal bone loss and post-operative pain. KEY WORDS Dental Implant, Low Level Laser Therapy, Crestal Bone Loss, Post-Operative Pain