Evaluating the Effects of Low-level Laser Therapy and Platelet-rich Plasma on Bone Calcium Content and Mechanical Properties at Tooth Extraction Sites: An Animal Study

Both low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and platelet-rich plasma (PRP) are demonstrated to promote the repair of mandibular defects.

This study investigated the mechanical properties and calcium content at the tooth extraction site in a rat model exposed to LLLT ( = 808 nm) with or without PRP.

In this experimental rat model study, the left first molar maxillary teeth were extracted in twenty male rats. Then, the animals were randomly divided into four groups. Group one: after extraction, the extraction sockets were treated with 0.9Wgalliumaluminum- arsenide (GaAlAs) diode laser irradiation for five minutes every 72 hours for the next 12 days (4 times overall); group two: PRP was placed in the extraction sockets; group three: a combination of both treatments (LLLT+PRP) was applied; group four: the extraction sockets remained untreated (the control group). All rats were sacrificed 30 days post-operative. All bone blocks of the extracted socket were prepared for mechanical strength and calcium content analyses. Mann-Whitney test, one-way ANOVA test, and post hoc Fisher’s least significant difference (LSD) were used to analyze the data. A P-value less than 0.05 was considered significant. All analyses were performed by SPSS 16.0. The graph is illustrated in the graph pad 5.

The compressive strength in the laser group was significantly higher than in the control and PRP-treated groups (P = 0.0001 and 0.00044, respectively). Compared to the control and PRP groups, the effects of a combination of PRP and LLLT mechanical strength were statistically similar. Calcium content was influenced by none of the treatments.

The mechanical strength of the bone blocks was significantly stronger in the LLLT group than in the other groups. Platelet-rich plasma alone or combined with LLLT demonstrated a synergistic impact on neither mechanical strength nor calcium content.