Infrared laser therapy after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion to diminish pain and accelerate bone healing.

The aim of this study was to illustrate how gallium arsenite aluminum diode laser (824 nm) irradiation can reduce postsurgical edema and discomfort and accelerate sutural osseous regeneration after surgically assisted rapid palatal expansion (SARPE). An adult patient with an 8-mm transverse maxillary discrepancy was treated with SARPE. Infrared laser therapy was started on the 7th postoperative day, with a total of eight sessions at intervals of 48 hours.

Treatment of comminuted mandibular fractures: a critical review.

The treatment of comminuted fractures of the mandible is challenging due both to the severity of the injuries generally associated with this type of fracture, and the lack of consensus as to the most appropriate treatment method.There are two distinct approaches for treating comminuted fractures of the mandible: closed reduction with maxillomandibular fixation (MMF) - the oldest and classical treatment - and open operation and internal fixation. The morbidity rate of closed reduction is lower but, with the advent of modern anaesthesia and antibiotics, open surgery has become more frequent.

The treatment of condylar fractures: to open or not to open? A critical review of this controversy.

The treatment of condylar process fractures has generated a great deal of discussion and controversy in oral and maxillofacial trauma and there are many different methods to treat this injury. For each type of condylar fracture, the techniques must be chosen taking into consideration the presence of teeth, fracture height, patient's adaptation, patient's masticatory system, disturbance of occlusal function, deviation of the mandible, internal derangements of the temporomandibular Joint (TMJ) and ankylosis of the joint with resultant inability to move the jaw, all of which are sequelae of this injury. Many surgeons seem to favor closed treatment with maxillomandibular fixation (MMF), but in recent years, open treatment of condylar fractures with rigid internal fixation (RIF) has become more common.

Effect of low-level laser therapy on inflammatory reactions during wound healing: comparison with meloxicam.

Objective: This study evaluated the action of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the modulation of inflammatory reactions during wound healing in comparison with meloxicam.

Background Data: LLLT has been recommended for the postoperative period because of its ability to speed healing of wounds. However, data in the literature are in disagreement about its anti-inflammatory action.