Abstract
ObjectiveTo investigate the amount of the cementum layer formed over the rat's dental root surfaces by daily application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) for 2weeks.
MethodsTwelve female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were divided into two groups: six rats received daily LLLT (Ga-Al-As, 830nm), and six rats received no treatment (control). The treatment lasted 2weeks. In vivo Micro-CT imaging analyzed the root's hard tissue volumetric changes. The cementum thickness was evaluated histologically.
ResultsTotal cementum thicknesses in the LLLT group increased significantly (p=0.015) compared to the control group. This significant increase in the cementum thickness, verified histologically, was not detectable during in vivo Micro-CT imaging, which showed no significant difference between the groups regarding the root hard tissues volumetric changes over the 2-week evaluation period.
ConclusionTwo weeks of daily application of LLLT significantly increased rat's dental root cementum thickness as determined histologically. However, in vivo Micro-CT imaging failed to accurately reveal this cementum growth as it was not possible to differentiate dentinal changes.