Histomorphometric assessment of the influence of low-level laser therapy on peri-implant tissue healing in the rabbit mandible

Abstract Objective: The purpose of this study was to demonstrate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the peri-implant bone healing process in the rabbit mandible. Background data: LLLT has been shown to accelerate tissue repair and osseointegration of implants placed into the rabbit tibia. However, the beneficial effects of LLLT have never been tested in the rabbit mandible, which would more closely mimic the human situation. Materials and methods: Twenty-four male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into four groups of six animals each. All animals had their left mandibular incisors extracted, followed by immediate insertion of a titanium dental implant in the fresh socket. Three groups received LLLT [aluminum-gallium-arsenide (AlGaAs), λ=830nm, 50 mW, continuous wave (CW)] at three different energy densities per treatment session (E-5, 5 J/cm2; E-10, 10 J/cm2; and E-20, 20 J/cm2). Irradiation was performed every 48 h for 13 days, totaling seven sessions. One group received sham treatme...