A Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating the Effect of Local Application of Sodium Alendronate Gel and Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) On Peri-Implant Tissue Healing in Wistar Rats.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of local application of Sodium Alendronate incorporated in Carbapol gel together with LLLT on peri-implant tissue healing in Wistar rat femurs.

Methods: Twenty-four male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 4 groups: Group 1 (the control group), Group 2 (the Sodium Alendronate group), Group 3 (the Sodium Alendronate and LLLT group), and Group 4 (the LLLT group). Mini implants were placed in right and left femur bones in all the four groups. Implants of groups 2 and 3 were coated in 1mg Carbapol gel incorporated with 1 mg Sodium alendronate. Groups 3 and 4 were exposed to LLLT (CO ₂ laser, wavelength 830nm; 2.1J/cm ²) on 1 ^st, 7 ^th, 14 ^th and 21 ^st day. Animals were sacrificed on the 28th day, following which the femurs were dissected out and stored in 10% buffered formaldehyde for histopathological analysis.

Results: Groups 3 and 4 showed bony union and formation of reorganized spongiosa whereas Groups 1 and 2 showed fibrous union. The bone marrow from Group 3 had an adult-type fatty marrow, while that from Group 2 and 4 was occupied by red blood cells. Group 1 showed initial stages of bone healing in which the defect occupied more than half of the bone marrow.

Conclusion: LLLT given using CO ₂ laser therapy, together with a one-time application of Sodium Alendronate in Carbapol gel at the time of implant placement optimally enhances healing of peri-implant tissues.