Abstract
The purpose of this case report was to inform dentists and dental specialists about
a noninvasive, viable treatment option that could aid in the recovery of patients
who have experienced iatrogenic nerve injuries. Nerve injury is an inherent risk of
many dental procedures and a complication that can negatively impact a patient’s quality
of life and activities of daily living. Managing neural injuries presents a challenge
for clinicians because there are no standard protocols reported in the literature.
Although spontaneous healing of these injuries can occur, the duration and degree
of healing can vary greatly between individuals. Photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy
is used as an adjunct in medicine for functional nerve recovery. Once target tissues
are illuminated with a low-level laser during PBM, the light energy is absorbed by
the mitochondria causing adenosine triphosphate production, modulation of reactive
oxygen species, and the release of nitric oxide. These cellular changes explain why
PBM has been shown to aid in cell repair, vasodilation, a reduction in inflammation,
accelerated healing, and an improvement in postoperative pain. This case report presents
2 patients with neurosensory alterations after endodontic microsurgery with a significant
improvement in their condition after PBM treatment using a 940-nm diode laser.
Key Words
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: March 07, 2023
Publication stage
In Press Corrected ProofIdentification
Copyright
© 2023 American Association of Endodontists.
