The effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy on bone regeneration of oral and craniofacial defects. A systematic review of animal, and in-vitro studies.

Abstract

Photobiomodulation Therapy (PBMT) is a noninvasive approach that utilizes light application to accelerate healing, promote tissue repair, reduce inflammation and pain. This systematic review aims to investigate the effects of PBMT on craniofacial bone regeneration by examining the available literature. A comprehensive electronic search was conducted across multiple databases including PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane. The initial analysis focused on animal studies that reported the effects of PBMT on bone regeneration and healing in animals. Additionally, in vitro histological studies were considered in this investigation. The quality assessment of all included animal studies was performed by two investigators using the Systematic Review Centre for Laboratory Animal Experimentation (SYRCLE) Tool. A total of 60 studies were included in this systematic review, meeting the eligibility criteria. Among them, 43 studies were conducted on animals, while 18 studies involved in vitro histological analysis. The reviewed studies exhibited significant variations in terms of irradiation parameters, experimental models, execution methods, and cell types utilized. This heterogeneity presents challenges in establishing standardized clinical guidelines for laser therapy. However, the findings suggest that PBMT has the potential to positively impact bone formation, mineralization, angiogenesis, osteoblast differentiation, and tissue remodeling. PBMT has shown effectiveness in enhancing the repair processes of craniofacial bone defects. However, it is important to consider that the presence of biomaterials may temporarily hinder the effects of PBMT. Standardization is still flawed, and it should be better studied to allow more specific conclusions in relation to PBMT use protocols.