Low-level laser therapy supported teeth extractions of two patients receiving IV zolendronate

Various Therapeutic Methods for the Treatment of Medication-Related Osteonecrosis of the Jaw (MRONJ) and Their Limitations: A Narrative Review on New Molecular and Cellular Therapeutic Approaches

Medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ) is one of the most interesting diseases in the field of maxillofacial surgery. In addition to bisphosphonates, the use of antiresorptive and antiangiogenic agents is known to be the leading cause. However, the exact pathogenesis of MRONJ has not been established, and various hypotheses have been proposed, such as oxidative stress-related theory. As a result, a definitive treatment protocol for MRONJ has not been identified, while various therapeutic approaches are applied to manage patients with MRONJ. Although the surgical approach to treat osteomyelitis of the jaw has been proven to be most effective, there are limitations, such as recurrence and delayed healing. Many studies and clinical trials are being conducted to develop another effective therapeutic modality. The use of some materials, including platelet concentrates and bone morphogenetic proteins, showed a positive effect on MRONJ. Among them, teriparatide is currently the most promising material, and it has shown encouraging results when applied to patients with MRONJ. Furthermore, cell therapy using mesenchymal stem cells showed promising results, and it can be the new therapeutic approach for the treatment of MRONJ. This review presents various treatment methods for MRONJ and their limitations while investigating newly developed and researched molecular and cellular therapeutic approaches along with a literature review.

Prevention of medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw after dentoalveolar surgery: An institution's experience

Background

Dentoalveolar surgery is a predisposing factor for medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The aim of our study was to evaluate the described surgical procedures to prevent the development of MRONJ after dentoalveolar surgery in patients receiving bisphosphonates.

Material and Methods

In this retrospective study, sixty-three dentoalveolar surgeries were performed on 44 patients taking bisphosphonate in accordance with the treatment procedures we described. The following procedures were applied to patients 1) use of antibiotics 2) performed dentoalveolar surgical procedures 3) fill the socket with leukocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF) 4) post-operative application of low level laser therapy through Nd: YAG laser 5) sutures were removed on post-op 14th day 6) long-term results were evaluated.

Results

Healing of all patients was uneventful. Complete mucosal healing was achieved in all patients at 1 month. There is no failure was observed in long-term follow-up.

Conclusions

Because of the pathophysiology of MRONJ is not fully understood and has many risk factors, definitive protocols on prevention and treatment have not been established yet. Personal risk assessment is required for the prevention and treatment of MRONJ. The described surgical protocol may be considered to reduce the risk of developing MRONJ after dentoalveolar surgery due to its high success rate.

Key words:Tooth extraction, medication related osteonecrosis of the jaw, preventive dentistry, L-PRF, low level laser therapy.

Does laser therapy improve the wound healing process after tooth extraction? A systematic review

Laser therapy could amplify the oral wound healing process by stimulating cell regeneration after injury, attenuating pain, and modulating the immune system. The purpose of this systematic review was to evaluate whether the application of laser therapy improved alveolar healing after tooth extractions. Eight electronic databases were screened: MedLine (PubMed), The Cochrane Library, Web of Science, Scopus, Lilacs, Ibecs, Scielo, and BBO. Three reviewers independently assessed the title and abstracts of potentially relevant studies. Only clinical trials and animal experiments that evaluated the wound healing effect of laser therapy after tooth extraction were included. A total of 16 studies fulfilled all criteria, thus 8 animal experiments and 8 clinical trials were included. Different types of laser were evaluated, such as CO₂ , GaAlAs, Nd:YAG, Diode Laser, HeNe, and High-frequency Pulsed Diode Laser. Although HF, Diode and GaAs lasers were able to enhance wound healing process in clinical studies, four trials and one animal experiment showed no improvement in wound healing with laser therapy after tooth extractions. In general, the current available evidence in the literature showed that laser therapy improved the wound healing process, but these findings were limited to the type of laser applied and its specific settings. Further well-designed and randomized controlled trials are needed to support a benefit effect of using laser therapy after tooth extraction. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42014007509 (2014).

Effect of low-level laser therapy on tissue repair after dental extraction in rats administered zoledronic acid and dexamethasone

Bisphosphonates (BPs) are being increasingly used for the treatment of metabolic and oncological pathologies involving the skeletal system. Because of the severity of the BP associated osteonecrosis of the jaws, the difficulties of treatment, and patient discomfort, additional support methods for their management are needed. Laser therapy has an easy handling, photobiostimulator effect on tissues healing, so it can be considered a preferred therapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of low-level laser therapy in the 685- and 830-nm wavelength in the healing process of the bone and soft tissues in rats under BP therapy [zoledronic acid (ZA)] and dexamethasone concomitantly that underwent a surgery for the extraction of upper molars. There were statistically significant differences in the clinical evaluation of the wound and the weight of the animals. Regarding the histological evaluation, it was possible to observe the different maturations of the healing stage between groups. The effect of drug therapy with ZA and dexamethasone in the bone tissue repair process induces osteonecrosis of the jaw in rats and slows down the healing process. In the laser groups, at the stipulated dosimetry, a positive influence on the bone and soft tissue repair process was observed.

The effect of laser therapy on the expression of osteocalcin and osteopontin after tooth extraction in rats treated with zoledronate and dexamethasone

PURPOSE

Laser therapy has been used for the prevention and management of medication-related ostenecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ). The aim of this paper was to investigate the action of laser therapy on extraction socket healing in rats in conditions at risk for MRONJ, evaluating the expression of markers of bone metabolism.

METHODS

Thirty male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided in four groups: control group (C, n = 5), laser group (L, n = 5), treatment group (T, n = 10), and treatment plus laser group (T + L, n = 10). Rats of group T and T + L received zoledronate 0.1 mg/kg and dexamethasone 1 mg/kg every 2 days for 10 weeks. Rats of group C and L were infused with vehicle. After 9 weeks, the left maxillary molars were extracted in all rats. Rats of groups L and T + L received laser therapy (Nd:YAG, 1064 nm, 1.25 W, 15 Hz, 5 min, 14.37 J/cm(2)) in the socket area at days 0, 2, 4, and 6 after surgery. Western blot analysis was performed to evaluate the alveolar expression of osteopontin (OPN) and osteocalcin (OCN) 8 days after extraction.

RESULTS

Rats of groups L and T + L showed a significant higher expression of OCN compared to rats of groups C and T (+348 and +400 %, respectively; P = 0.013 and P = 0.002, respectively). The expression of OPN did not show significant differences among the different groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest that laser irradiation after tooth extraction can promote osteoblast differentiation, as demonstrated by the higher expression of OCN. Thus, laser irradiation could be considered a way to improve socket healing in conditions at risk for MRONJ development.

Case series of 589 tooth extractions in patients under bisphosphonates therapy. Proposal of a clinical protocol supported by Nd:YAG low-level laser therapy

Objective: Trauma during dental surgery is a predisposing factor for bisphosphonates (BP)-related osteonecrosis of the jaws (BRONJ). However, about 40% of cases of BRONJ are not related to dental invasive procedures, being probably associated to endodontic or periodontal infections. Extraction of non-treatable teeth is considered a reliable choice, to improve symptoms and to reduce the risk of BRONJ. Here we report our experience of tooth extractions in patients under oral or intravenous BP therapy. Study Design: Two-hundred and seventeen patients (38 males, 179 females; mean age 68.72 ± 11.26 years, range 30 to 83 years) under BP therapy received 589 tooth extractions at the Unit of Oral Medicine, Pathology and Laser-assisted Surgery of the University of Parma, Italy, between June 2006 and December 2010. Ninety five patients were under BP therapy for oncological disease (multiple myeloma (MM): 23; bone metastases (BM): 72) and 122 patients for non oncological diseases: 119 osteoporosis (OP), 2 rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and 1 Paget’s disease (PD). The mean duration of BP was of 35 months. Antibiotic treatment was administered three days before and 2 weeks after tooth extractions. Patients were additionally treated with low level laser therapy (LLLT) through Nd:YAG laser (1064 nm – power 1.25 W; frequency 15 Hz; fibre diameter: 320 ?m), 5 application of 1 minute each. Patients were evaluated 3 days and once a week for 2 months after the extractions and every time they received LLLT. Mean follow-up was 15 months (ranging from 4 to 31 months). Results: In a total of 589 extractions (285 mandibular, 304 maxillary) performed, a minimal bone exposure was observed in 5 cases, treated with Er:YAG laser vaporization and than healed. Conclusions: Our experience supports the hypothesis that the association of antibiotic treatment and LLLT can be effective in preventing ONJ after tooth extractions in patients under BPT.

Key words:Nd:YAG laser, low level laser therapy, tooth extractions, bisphosphonates, jaws osteonecrosis.