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Abstract This study aims to evaluate the effects of 940 nm diode laser and 2780 nm erbium, chromium-doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) laser used in addition to mechanical therapy in the non-surgical treatment of peri-implantitis on clinical parameters and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-1 (TIMP-1) levels in the peri-implant crevicular fluid. A total of 50 patients with peri-implantitis were randomized into three groups to receive peri-implant treatment. The control group (n = 17) only received conventional non-surgical mechanical therapy. The trial groups [(diode group (n = 16) and Er,Cr:YSGG group (n = 17)] received dental laser in addition to mechanical therapy. Gingival index (GI), plaque index (PI), bleeding on probing, probing depth (PD), MMP-9, and TIMP-1 levels were assessed at baseline (T0) and at 6 months after treatment (T1). The GI, PI, and PD significantly decreased in all groups at T1, compared to T0 (p < 0.05). The decrease in the PD was similar between the control and diode groups with Er,Cr:YSGG providing more reduction (1.16 ± 0.64 mm) than either method (p = 0.032). A significant intra-group decrease in MMP-9 level was only observed in the Er,Cr:YSGG group (p = 0.009). The decrease in TIMP-1 level from T0 to T1 was similar between the control and the diode groups (p > 0.05) and it was significantly lower than the decrease in the Er,Cr:YSGG group (p < 0.05). Addition of diode laser to non-surgical mechanical therapy does not provide any additional benefit for treatment outcomes. The Er,Cr:YSGG laser seems to be more efficient both at clinical and molecular levels. ClinicalTrials, ID: NCT04730687. Registered 13 April 2021. Retrospectively registered, https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT04730687

The aim of this study was to investigate the bond strength between PEEK/PEKK and composite resins after various laser treatments and to compare the effectiveness of lasers on these polymers. 130 disc-shaped PEEK and PEKK blocks were obtained (10 mm diameter-4 mm height). One sample from each group (10 in total) was selected for scanning electron microscopy (SEM) analysis. The samples were randomly divided into 5 different surface treatment groups for each material (PEEK and PEKK): Er: YAG laser, Nd: YAG laser, diode laser, femtosecond laser and control (no surface treatment) (n = 12). Baseline and post-treatment surface roughness measurements were performed using a profilometer. The composite resin was bonded and SBS was measured. Comparisons among the groups were conducted via Kruskal–Wallis, one-way ANOVA; Tukey and Dunn tests were used as a post hoc test (p ≤ 0.05). All lasers significantly increased the roughness values of the PEEK and PEKK samples. In terms of shear bond strength; the Er: YAG and femtosecond laser groups had the highest values and the Nd: YAG, diode and control groups had the lowest values of the PEEK samples (p ≤ 0.05). The control group had the highest bond strength values and the femtosecond group had the lowest values for PEKK samples (p ≤ 0.05). All laser treatments increased the surface roughness of the PEEK and PEKK. Lasers increased the bond strength of PEEK to the veneering composite resin and decreased the bond strength values of PEKK. This shows that lasers behave differently in PEEK and PEKK materials.

Background The 1927‐nm nonablative fractional laser is widely used for skin rejuvenation and hyperpigmentation. However, its efficacy and safety for periorbital rejuvenation remain uncertain. Aims To assess the effects of the 1927‐nm nonablative fractional diode laser on periorbital rejuvenation. Patients/Methods Twenty participants were randomized into two groups and received three treatments at 2‐week (Group A) or 4‐week (Group B) intervals. Clinical efficacy was assessed using ANTERA 3D, blinded investigator‐rated scores, and subject self‐assessments. Results Both group A and group B exhibited statistically significant improvements in L* (color measurement which indicates lightness) and pigmentation score at the end‐of‐study visit compared to baseline, with group B also achieving statistically significant enhancement in the pores' index and wrinkles' score. Group B showed greater improvement in wrinkles' score compared to group A at the end‐of‐study visit. The median of Global Aesthetic Improvement Scale assessed by both the physicians and subjects showed improvement, ranging from “improved” to “much improved” at the end‐of‐study visit. Transient side effects including tenderness, erythema, swelling, and scaling were observed, with the majority resolving within 7 days. Conclusions The 1927‐nm diode laser is an effective and safe option for periorbital rejuvenation. The 4‐week interval treatment appears to be the preferable option due to its superior improvement in the wrinkles' score at the end of the study. The positive changes in skin brightness and the reduction of brown spots represented additional benefits, setting it apart as a notable alternative to other ablative and nonablative fractional lasers.

The aim of this study was to compare the effectiveness of different types of low level laser treatment (LLLT) in reducing pain levels, changing oxygen saturation and bite force in patients with myofacial pain syndrome (MPS). 45 patients were randomly assigned to three groups: Group 1 (GRR laser, n  = 15) received LLLT with Gallium-Aluminium-Arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser with a wavelength of 904 nm and red laser with a wavelength of 650 nm over masseter muscle region. Group 2 (Nd: YAG laser, n  = 15) were treated with Neodymium-doped Yttrium Aluminium Garnet laser with a wavelength of 1064 nm and the same protocol with Nd: YAG laser was performed in the Group 3 (placebo, n  = 15) using sham device. Pain was evaluated by visual analogue scale (VAS), change in oxygen concentration in the masseter muscle was measured by functional near-infrared spectroscopy- fNIRS and bite force was measured with Flexiforce sensors before and after treatment. There was a significant decrease in VAS scores after treatment in all three groups. When pain scores were compared, a greater reduction was seen in the Group 1 and Group 2. The change in oxygen saturation level was not statistically significant in all three groups ( p  > 0.05). Bite force values showed a significant decrease in treatment groups ( p  < 0.05), while there was no significant change in the placebo group ( p  > 0.05). Nd: YAG and GRR laser treatments were effective in reducing the pain caused by MPS and in reducing bite force values. Clinically, GRR laser system provides more effective results with its regional and practical application. ClinicalTrials.gov ID: NCT06442553.

This investigation has aimed to compare the efficiency of clinical depigmentation and repigmentation rate of erbium chromium–doped: yttrium, scandium, gallium, garnet (Er,Cr:YSGG) and diode lasers during a 1-year follow-up and to evaluate patient satisfaction. Twenty-two participants were divided into Er,Cr:YSGG laser and diode laser groups using computer-aided randomization. Dummett Oral Pigmentation Index (DOPI) and photographic assessment with ImageJ Software version 10.2 were performed at the preoperative period and postoperative 1st month, 6th month, and 12th month. Moreover, the study assessed intra- and postoperative intensities of pain and postoperative patient aesthetic satisfaction using the Visual Analog Scale in both groups. The median values of DOPI did not differ statistically between the groups according to time (p > 0.05). In the Er,Cr:YSGG group, the extension of repigmentation was less as compared to the diode group at 1-year follow-up (p = 0.045). In the Er,Cr:YSGG group, the patients felt less intraoperative pain and discomfort compared to the diode group (p = 0.007). No significant differences were found between the two groups in terms of patient aesthetic satisfaction at the 1st and 12th months. The findings indicate that diode and Er,Cr:YSGG lasers can be used safely in depigmentation treatment, while the Er,Cr:YSGG laser has been shown to have superiorities in pain management and patient comfort parameters. Clinical Trial No.: NCT05304624.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the safety parameters of diode laser (DL) therapy on treating recurrent aphthous ulcer (RAU). We conducted a systematic review in accordance with the PRISMA guidelines. Studies from PubMed, Embase, WOS, Cochrane, Google Scholar, CNKI, Wanfang Data and VIP were searched by hand. The search terms encompassed both Medical Subject Headings terms (Stomatitis, aphthous; Lasers, semiconductor) and their corresponding text words. The meta-analysis was performed using Review Manager 5.4. 16 studies were included in this review with no high-risk studies and no significant publication bias. In this review, we found DL therapy was more effective than medication or placebo in reducing Visual Analog Scale (MD = 2.79, 95% CI: 1.40 to 4.17, P  < 0.0001), shrinking ulcer size (MD = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.15 to 4.09, P  = 0.0005) and accelerating healing time (MD = -3.72, 95% CI: -4.86 to -2.59, P  < 0.00001). Moreover, subgroup analyses demonstrated that DL therapy effectively alleviated immediate pain in patients (MD = 2.88, 95% CI: 1.53 to 4.23, P  < 0.0001), and a single exposure significantly shortened the healing time of RAU (MD = -4.20, 95% CI: -5.76 to -2.64, P  < 0.00001). DL therapy is an effective treatment for RAU without any adverse effects. A single session (or two) with low-energy density irradiation significantly alleviates RAU symptoms. Consequently, there is no need to pursue longer durations and higher parameters of DL therapy, which also aligns with the economic interests of patients. RAU is typically painful and can impair quality of life. Suitable DL therapy represents a promising strategy.

The purpose of this randomized, parallel, triple-blinded clinical trial was to compare efficacy and tooth sensitivity (TS) after use of an in-office bleaching agent of 6 % hydrogen peroxide containing nanoparticles of nitrogen-doped titanium oxide (HP6) vs. 35 % hydrogen peroxide (HP35). Forty-eight volunteers were randomly divided either a HP6 or HP35. Two clinical sessions were performed with an interval of 7 days between them for each group. In each session, two consecutive applications of each bleaching agent were performed and activated by a hybrid LED/laser light. Efficacy was determined by color alteration (Δ E ), recorded with reflectance spectroscopy. It was assessed at baseline and after the first and second bleaching session. TS was characterized according to occurrence, intensity, duration, and type. Efficacy was analyzed by repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) and post hoc Bonferroni test, and TS was analyzed by means of chi 2 test ( α  = 0.05). For HP35, highest and significant values of Δ E were found after bleaching when compared to HP6 ( p  = 0.002). However, HP35 showed a significantly higher occurrence of TS than HP6 ( p  = 0.008). Also, intensity and duration were higher in HP35. The majority of volunteers classified the type experienced in their sensitivity in the form of a “shock.” The use of HP6 despite reducing efficacy when compared to an in-office bleaching in higher concentration (35 %) produced less tooth sensitivity. Clinical relevance : In terms of tooth sensitivity, the use of lower concentrations of in-office bleaching should be the first choice, suggesting greater biocompatibility and safety compared to a conventional HP35.

The purpose of this study is to assess the laser effect in root canal disinfection and periapical healing of endodontically treated teeth from patients with asymptomatic apical periodontitis. This study was performed as a randomized clinical trial. Thirty patients were selected according to the inclusion/exclusion criteria. Fifteen patients received the root canal retreatment (RCR) combined with 980-nm diode laser irradiation (LI). The canals were irrigated with saline solution and gently dried with paper points, keeping the dentin partially moist. The irradiation was performed using a 320-µm-diameter fiber in helicoidal movements (pulsed mode, power output of 1.5 W, 100 Hz for 20 s). The other 15 patients received the RCR with placebo irradiation (PI). Microbiological samples were taken in three periods: S1, after the filling material removal (baseline); S2, after laser or placebo irradiation (LI or PI); and S3, after the RCR followed by laser or placebo. The samples were submitted to the total microbial and E. faecalis counting. The periapical radiographic healing was analyzed after 3, 6, 9, and 12 months. Microbiological data (CFU/mg) were analyzed by ANOVA and Tukey’s test (P < 0.05), and the repair by Mann–Whitney test (P < 0.05). In S2, the laser provided 42.44% microbial reduction and 53.14% of E. faecalis, different from the placebo that had no reduction, and 4.85% for Enterococcus (P < 0.05). In S3, the bacterial counts decreased without differences between groups. No differences in healing were found at 3 months. However, diode laser facilitated the repair from 3- to 12-month follow-up (P < 0.05) and had 45% more healed cases than placebo. Diode laser provided an antimicrobial effect before the biomechanical preparation but was not synergistic in RCR. It improved the periapical healing during follow-up.

This study compared the efficacy of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) versus laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in patients with temporomandibular disorders (TMDs). In this randomized, double-blind clinical trial, 45 TMD patients were randomly divided into three groups. In group 1 (LLLT), a GaAlAs laser was applied on painful masticatory muscles and TMJs (810 nm, 200 mW, 30 s per point, Gaussian beam, spot size 0.28 cm 2 , 21 J/cm 2 ) two times a week for 5 weeks. In group 2 (LAT), the laser was emitted bilaterally on acupuncture points (ST6, ST7, LI4) with the same settings as the LLLT group. Group 3 (placebo) underwent treatment with sham laser. The patients were evaluated before treatment (T1), after 5 (T2) and 10 (T3) laser applications, and 1 month later (T4). The mandibular range of motion as well as pain intensity in masticatory system was recorded at each interval. There was no significant difference in mouth opening between the groups ( p  > 0.05), but the amount of lateral excursive and protrusive movements was significantly greater in LLLT and LAT groups than the placebo group at some intervals ( p  < 0.05). The overall pain intensity and pain degree at masticatory muscles (except temporal muscle) and TMJs were significantly lower in both experimental groups than the placebo group at most intervals after therapy ( p  < 0.05). Both LLLT and LAT were effective in reducing pain and increasing excursive and protrusive mandibular motion in TMD patients. LAT could be suggested as a suitable alternative to LLLT, as it provided effective results while taking less chair time.

Objective This study aimed to evaluate the preventive and therapeutic effects of semiconductor laser on postoperative pain in root canal treatment and to compare the clinical efficacy of different laser application methods. Methods A total of 202 patients requiring root canal treatment at our hospital's dental department from January to December 2024 were selected and randomly divided into experimental and Control groups using a random number table. The Control group received conventional root canal treatment (58 cases); the experimental group received 810 nm semiconductor laser-assisted treatment based on conventional root canal therapy and was further divided into three subgroups according to different laser application methods: laser-activated irrigation group (LAI group, 48 cases), low-level laser therapy group (LLLT group, 48 cases), and combined application group (Combined group, 48 cases). The LAI group used laser as a root canal irrigation activation system; the LLLT group applied laser irradiation to the buccal and palatal mucosa externally; the Combined group applied both methods simultaneously. All patients received root canal treatment completed in a single visit, and 197 patients completed the 14-day follow-up. Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) was used to assess the patients' pain levels at 1, 2, 3, 7, and 14 days after the procedure, and the use of analgesics was recorded. Results Within 14 days after treatment, there were statistically significant differences in the mean VAS scores among the four groups ( P  < 0.05). The Control group had the highest pain scores, while the Combined group had the lowest. On the first day after treatment, the VAS scores of all experimental subgroups were significantly lower than the Control group ( P  < 0.001), with the LLLT group showing the best immediate pain relief effect. On days 2–3 after treatment, there was no significant difference in pain scores between the LAI and LLLT groups, but both were better than the Control group ( P  < 0.001). On day 7 after treatment, the Combined group had the most long-lasting analgesic effect, showing a significant difference compared to the Control group. By day 14, the differences among groups were no longer statistically significant ( P  > 0.05). Regarding analgesic use, the experimental groups required significantly less medication than the Control group ( P  < 0.001), with the Combined group using the least (0.53 ± 0.74 tablets). Moreover, multivariate analysis found that the size of periapical lesions, preoperative pain level, and laser treatment protocol were the main factors affecting postoperative pain. Conclusion Semiconductor laser can effectively reduce postoperative pain after root canal treatment and improve patient comfort. The combined application of laser-activated irrigation and low-level laser therapy techniques is the optimal pain prevention and control protocol, which can continuously provide analgesic effects for 14 days after treatment. As an adjunctive treatment, semiconductor laser effectively reduces discomfort in root canal treatment by enhancing root canal disinfection and promoting inflammatory tissue repair. This study provides scientific evidence for the rational application of semiconductor laser in clinical root canal treatment, which is of great significance for improving the success rate and patient satisfaction of root canal treatment.