The Comparison of 940nm and 810nm Diode Laser Effects on the Repair of Inferior Alveolar Sensory Nerve Injury: A Clinical Trial.

STATEMENT OF THE PROBLEM

Healing of the inferior alveolar nerve injury during dental procedures is one of the biggest concerns of dentists. There are still debates on different treatment modalities.

PURPOSE

This study aimed to compare the effect of 940nm and 810nm diode lasers on the repair of the inferior alveolar sensory nerve.

MATERIALS AND METHOD

In this single-blinded randomized clinical trial, 39 patients with inferior alveolar nerve injury were divided into three groups: 1. 810nm laser irradiated, 2. 940nm laser irradiated, and 3. No laser irradiation (control group). All patients were treated in 12 sessions (3 days per week) and evaluated using a complete clinical neurosensory test (CNT), including brushstroke, 2-point discrimination, pinprick nociception, and thermal discrimination before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The mean dysesthesia of the patient treated with 810nm diode laser was significantly lower than the control group in all sessions (the 1 (= 0.003), 3 (= 0.008), 7 (= 0.006), and 12 sessions (= 0.005)). The 810nm laser resulted in more satisfaction in patients than the control group in almost all sessions (1 (< 0.001), 7 (= 0.028), and 12 (= 0.006)). More patient satisfaction was seen in the 1 and 3 sessions in the 810nm laser than in the 980nm laser (< 0.001 and = 0.003, respectively).

CONCLUSION

810nm diode laser can be better than 940nm in repairing inferior alveolar sensory nerve damage.