Effectiveness of the use of LLLT on disorders of the maxillofacial region

Abstract

Dentistry has traditionally depended on science and technology for improvement of diagnostic tools and treatment options. The impact of using light sources in clinical Dentistry has been significantly higher than in clinical Medicine and Surgery. Light sources have been used as a therapeutic agent for many centuries. The major use of light for therapeutic applications in health care sciences was noticeably initiated after the development of lasers in 1960. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of LLLT on treating disorders of the maxillofacial region. For this, the records of patients treated at the Laser Center of the School of Dentistry of the Federal University of Bahia were revised. We analyzed 867 treatment cycles in 572 patients. The mean age of the patients was 53.5 years old, most were females. Majority of them complained of some pain. G50.0 and K07.6 were the most frequent diagnostics. The mean energy density per session was 18.36 ± 14.6 J/cm² and mean treatment one 176.4 ± 132.4 J/cm². IR laser was the most frequently used wavelength. Most patients were asymptomatic or improved at discharge. Improved or asymptomatic patients had a mean age of 50.9 years old. For these, the mean number of sessions was 13, the total mean session energy density was 16.6 J/cm² and mean total energy density treatment was 169.5 J/cm2. For symptomatic patients, the mean age was 56.4 years old. The mean number of sessions was 10. The mean energy density per session on these patients was 20.6 J/cm² and mean total treatment energy density was 210.9 J/cm². 55.34% of the patients were asymptomatic or improved at discharge. For these, the mean number of sessions was 13, the total mean session energy density was 16.6 J/cm² and mean total energy density treatment was 169.5 J/cm². For symptomatic patients, the mean age was 56.4 years old. The mean number of sessions was 10. The mean energy density per session on these patients was 20.6 J/cm² and mean total treatment energy density was 210.9 J/cm². The results of this study are indicative that the use of LLLT for treating different disorders of the maxillofacial region is effective and well accepted by the patients.