Laser therapy as treatment for oral paresthesia arising from mandibular third molar extraction

Abstract

Oral paresthesia is a localized condition of sensory abnormality that occurs in the presence of injury in one of the nerves in the region after certain dental procedures. The aim of this study was to present a case report of a patient who received low-level laser therapy as treatment for inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia due to mandibular third molar extraction surgery. A 25-year-old female patient reported lack of sensitivity for 6 months in various regions of the bucomaxillofacial complex after surgery. Laser therapy (808 ± 10nm, 100 mW, 3J per point and 30 seconds per point) was indicated twice a week. The degree of sensitivity was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and with the aid of a microbrush. Prior to laser therapy, the patient reported VAS = 10, i.e., total lack of sensitivity. After 72 hours of the first session, the patient reported improvement of sensitivity in the chin (VAS = 5) and oral regions (VAS = 5), reporting recovery of sensitivity and that the area of paresthesia decreased. After 8 sessions, the patient reported total recovery of sensitivity in the chin, oral and gum regions (VAS = 0), with paresthesia being limited only to the left lower lip region and below it. After 26 sessions, the patient reported recovery of sensitivity in all affected regions (VAS = 0), with positive responses to the brush touch. Within the parameters used, laser therapy was effective in the treatment of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia after third molar tooth extraction. Key words: Lasers, paresthesia, oral surgery, low-level laser therapy.

Estudo da eficácia do laser de baixa intensidade em cirurgia bucomaxilofacial: Uma revisão narrativa da literatura

“…Os aparelhos de laser são nomeados a partir do meio ativo e classificados de acordo com a potência de emissão de radiação (Fernandes-Neto et al, 2020). Neste trabalho, será enfatizado quanto a sua potência de emissão de radiação, no que concerne à baixa intensidade.…”

“…A terapia com luz de baixa intensidade age como fotobiomodulador tecidual, promovendo efeitos terapêuticos em áreas afetadas por processos patológicos ou em recuperação pós-cirúrgica (Eroglu & Tunc et al, 2018;Fernandes-Neto et al, 2020).…”

Nerve Injury and Photobiomodulation, a Promising Opportunity: A Scoping Review on Laser Assisted Protocols for Lesions in the Oral Region

“…It has shown promising results in the regeneration of peripheral nerves. Studies conducted on animal models, such as rats [41][42][43][44][45][46][47][48][49][50][51][52], have demonstrated that PBM can enhance nerve regeneration by promoting axonal growth, reducing inflammation, and increasing cellular metabolism. These experiments typically involve applying specific wavelengths of light to the injured nerve area, leading to improved nerve function and accelerated healing [53][54][55][56].…”

Effect of low‐level laser therapy on postoperative pain after single‐visit root canal retreatment of mandibular molars: A randomized controlled clinical trial

“…At present, low‐level lasers are used for several purposes in Dentistry and more specifically Endodontics including reduction of dentine hypersensitivity (Brignardello‐Petersen, 2017; Orhan et al, 2011), acceleration of wound healing (Metin et al, 2018; Noba et al, 2018), healing of periapical lesions (Suresh et al, 2021; Yadav et al, 2020), healing of damaged nerves and treatment of paraesthesia (Bittencourt et al, 2017; Fernandes‐Neto et al, 2020) and reduction of the gag reflex during root canal treatment or radiography (Elbay et al, 2016; Goel et al, 2017).…”