Does the use of laser photobiomodulation, bone morphogenetic proteins, and guided bone regeneration improve the outcome of autologous bone grafts? An in vivo study in a rodent model.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of the present investigation was to histologically assess the effect of laser photobiomodulation (LBPM) on the repair of autologous bone grafts in a rodent model. BACKGROUND DATA: A major problem in modern dentistry is the recovery of bone defects caused by trauma, surgical procedures, or pathologies. Several types of biomaterials have been used to improve the repair of these defects. These materials are often associated with procedures of guided bone regeneration (GBR).
MATERIALS AND METHODS: Twenty four animals were divided into four groups: group I (control); group II (LPBM of the bone graft); group III (bone morphogenetic proteins [BMPs] + bone graft); and group IV (LPBM of the bed and the bone graft + BMPs). When appropriate the bed was filled with lyophilized bovine bone and BMPs used with or without GBR. The animals in the irradiated groups received 10 J/cm(2) per session divided over four points around the defect (4 J/cm(2)), with the first irradiation immediately after surgery, and then repeated seven times every other day. The animals were humanely killed after 40 d.
RESULTS: The results showed that in all treatment groups, new bone formation was greater and qualitatively better than the untreated subjects. Control specimens showed a less advanced repair after 40 d, and this was characterized by the presence of medullary tissue, a small amount of bone trabeculi, and some cortical repair.
CONCLUSION: We conclude that LPBM has a positive biomodulatory effect on the healing of bone defects, and that this effect was more evident when LPBM was performed on the surgical bed intraoperatively, prior to the placement of the autologous bone graft.