Radiographic Evaluation of Low-Level Laser Therapy-Enhanced Maxillary Sinus Augmentation with Simultaneous Dental Implant Placement

Tailoring photobiomodulation to enhance tissue regeneration

Photobiomodulation (PBM), the use of biocompatible tissue-penetrating light to interact with intracellular chromophores to modulate the fates of cells and tissues, has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach to enhancing tissue regeneration. Unlike photodynamic or photothermal therapies that require the use of photothermal agents or photosensitizers, PBM treatment does not need external agents. With its non-harmful nature, PBM has demonstrated efficacy in enhancing molecular secretions and cellular functions relevant to tissue regeneration. The utilization of low-level light from various sources in PBM targets cytochrome c oxidase, leading to increased synthesis of adenosine triphosphate, induction of growth factor secretion, activation of signaling pathways, and promotion of direct or indirect gene expression. When integrated with stem cell populations, bioactive molecules or nanoparticles, or biomaterial scaffolds, PBM proves effective in significantly improving tissue regeneration. This review consolidates findings from in vitro, in vivo, and human clinical outcomes of both PBM alone and PBM-combined therapies in tissue regeneration applications. It encompasses the background of PBM invention, optimization of PBM parameters (such as wavelength, irradiation, and exposure time), and understanding of the mechanisms for PBM to enhance tissue regeneration. The comprehensive exploration concludes with insights into future directions and perspectives for the tissue regeneration applications of PBM.

A randomised trial of the bone formation after maxillary sinus floor augmentation with bovine hydroxyapatite (Cerabone®) and Photobiomodulation: histomorphometric and immunohistochemical analysis

Background

The use of non-autogenous biomaterial to increase bone height in the maxillary sinus has been shown to be effective, but the results are still inconclusive.

Material and Methods

Eight participants were selected and included in the research. After surgical access with osteotomy on the lateral wall of both maxillary sinuses, these were filled with Cerabone®. Then, by blind randomization, they received one of the following treatments: Filling with Cerabone® (Control group); treatment with Photobiomodulation (PBM), filling with Cerabone® and treatment with low-power laser (PBM group). Biopsies were obtained 30 days after the surgery, using a 2.8 mm internal diameter trephine bur. Qualitative and quantitative histological analyzes were performed and immunohistochemical analyzes of osteocalcin (OCN) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) were performed with scores for each of the biological events.

Results

The Cerabone® biomaterial demonstrated a high degree of biocompatibility. New bone formation was observed in both groups. In the PBM group, there was greater bone formation and newly formed tissue in an advanced state of bone maturation. The immunostaining of OCN was greater at 30 days in the PBM group than in the control. There was no significant difference in TRAP immunostaining at 30 days between the groups.

Conclusions

Low-power laser-mediated by PBM promoted greater bone formation; the newly formed tissue showed a more advanced state of bone maturation in maxillary sinuses filled with Cerabone® biomaterial and treatment with PBM, within the 30-day evaluation period. Key words:Sinus floor augmentation, dental implants, bone and bones, low-level light therapy.

Peri-implantitis Update: Risk Indicators, Diagnosis, and Treatment

Despite the success rates of dental implants, peri-implantitis presents as the most common complication in implant dentistry. This review discusses various factors associated with peri-implantitis and various available treatments, highlighting their advantages and disadvantages. Relevant articles on peri-implantitis published in English were reviewed from August 2010 to April 2020 in MEDLINE/PubMed, Scopus, and ScienceDirect. The identified risk indicators of peri-implant diseases are plaque, smoking, history of periodontitis, surface roughness, residual cement, emergence angle >30 degrees, radiation therapy, keratinized tissue width, and function time of the implant, sex, and diabetes. Peri-implantitis treatments can be divided into nonsurgical (mechanical, antiseptic, and antibiotics), surface decontamination (chemical and laser), and surgical (air powder abrasive, resective, and regenerative). However, mechanical debridement alone may fail to eliminate the causative bacteria, and this treatment should be combined with other treatments (antiseptics and surgical treatment). Surface decontamination using chemical agents may be used as an adjuvant treatment; however, the definitive clinical benefit is yet not proven. Laser treatment may result in a short-term decrease in periodontal pocket depth, while air powder abrasive is effective in cleaning a previously contaminated implant surface. Surgical elimination of a pocket, bone recontouring and plaque control are also effective for treating peri-implantitis. The current evidence indicates that regenerative approaches to treat peri-implant defects are unpredictable.