Avaliação do uso do laser em baixa intensidade em pacientes com fraturas mandibulares – ensaio clínico controlado

Abstract

The aim of the present study was to perform an evaluation of the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on bite force, facial swelling, mandibular movements and pain in patients having undergone surgical treatment for mandibular fracture. The patients were divided into two groups: Group 1 – active LLLT; and Group 2 – sham LLLT. Both groups took anti-inflammatory agents postoperatively. Group 2 underwent the surgical reduction and rigid internal fixation, the use of postoperative an anti-inflammatory agent and sham LLLT with the equipment switched off. Fifteen sessions were performed using the point application methods and wavelength: 660 nm; power; 108 mW; radiant energy: 21.6 J; fluence: 21.6 J/cm2; radiance: 38197 mW/cm2; exposure time: 200 seconds per point. The active laser group received LLLT in the region of the incision and over the masseter (3 points: superior, medial and inferior) and temporal (anterior region) muscles, with five application points on each side, totaling 10 points bilaterally. The Shapiro-Wilk test was used for the analysis of the results and normal distribution was demonstrated. Thus, the Student’s t-test was used to determine inter-group differences and repeated-measures ANOVA was used to determine whether significant differences occurred at different times. The level of significance was set to 5% ( = 0.05). The findings we can see considerable improvement in the group submitted to active LLLT with regard to mandibular dynamics, a reduction in postoperative facial swelling, a reduction in pain and an increase in bite force in comparison to the sham group, which only used postoperative corticosteroids.