Neoangiogenetic potential of Nd:YAG 1064 nm photobiomodulation in non-surgical healing of trauma induced periapical bone defects: a clinicalprospective pilot study.

To evaluate Nd: YAG 1064 nm photobiomodulation as a therapeutic adjunct for non-surgical management of trauma-induced periapical bone defects. The present study was a parallel-group, double arm, single-centre clinical, prospective, pilot study. Thirty systematically healthy individuals with radiographic evidence of trauma-induced periapical bone defects in anterior teeth were recruited. Twenty-four patients meeting the inclusion criteria were selected and randomly placed in two treatment groups. Group A: Non-surgical endodontic treatment with intracanal calcium hydroxide-iodoform paste (CH-I), and Group B: Non-surgical endodontic treatment with intracanal calcium hydroxide and adjunctive extracanal Nd:YAG 1064 nm photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT). Improvement in vascular perfusion, reduction in size, volume, area and echogenicity of the lesion was assessed with ultrasound and colour Doppler imaging. The peak systolic velocity increased statistically significantly (p < 0.05) from baseline to 3 and 6 months, suggesting PBMT as a facilitator of neoangiogenesis. Compared to the calcium hydroxide group, the PBM group showed a more significant mean reduction in size, volume, and surface area of the periapical lesion and lower post-operative pain scores, though not statistically significant. Also, the PBM group presented with more remarkable hard tissue development, as seen by an improvement in echogenicity from hypoechoic to predominantly hyperechoic or hyperechoic. Results suggest that PBMT with Nd: YAG can accelerate healing, enhance perfusion of periapical lesions, provide analgesia, and reduce the need for pharmacological drugs. Although the sample size is limited, this research offers a foundation for further clinical studies with larger sample sizes to evaluate the additional benefits of laser therapy in periapical healing. The study was submitted to the Clinical Trails Registry-India (CTRI), under reference no/2023/02/063428, with a registration number/2023/09/057848, before the commencement of the study.