Effectiveness of Laser Therapy and Laser Acupuncture on Treating Paraesthesia After Extraction of Lower Third Molars.

This randomized clinical trial evaluated the sensitive return of the lower alveolar nerve (LAN) using two photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) techniques, after the extraction of lower third molars or implant surgery. Sixty participants with sensory impairment of LAN were randomly divided into three groups ( = 20): group C-systemic medication (control-ETNA, 01 capsule, 8/8 h, 30 days); group laser therapy (LT) (808 nm, 100 mW, 40 sec/point, 4 J/point, intra/extraoral, irradiation following nerve path); group laser acupuncture (LA) (same parameters as the LT group, applied at six acupuncture points on the affected side (ST 4 [Dicang], M-HN-18 [Jiachengjiang], CV 24 [Chengjiang], ST 5 [Daying], ST 6 [Jiache], and point A1 [YNSA]). The following evaluations were performed, at predetermined times: general perception of paresthesia, thermal perception, vibratory mechanical perception, two-point discrimination, pain perception, and tactile perception.

Influence of Electroacupuncture and Laser-Acupuncture on Treating Paresthesia in Patients Submitted to Combined Orthognathic Surgery and Genioplasty.

The goal of this research was to observe the influence of electroacupuncture (EA) and laser-acupuncture on the return of tactile/pain sensitivity in patients who underwent orthognathic surgery. Thirty volunteers subjected to orthognathic surgery were evaluated and randomly divided into 2 groups, in which 3 treatments were evaluated: control ( = 30) (G0, medication + placebo laser treatment) and 2 experimental treatments ( = 15) (G1, medication + EA) or G2 (medication + laser-acupuncture). The control group had  = 30 because for each experimental treatment conducted on a volunteer's hemi-face, there was a control treatment on the other hemi-face.

Laser Therapy in the Treatment of Paresthesia: A Retrospective Study of 125 Clinical Cases.

Objective: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the effectiveness of laser therapy for acceleration and recovery of nerve sensitivity after orthognathic or minor oral surgeries, by analysis of clinical records of patients treated at the Special Laboratory of Lasers in Dentistry (LELO, School of Dentistry, University of São Paulo), throughout the period 2007-2013.

Background Data: Nerve tissue lesions may occur during various dental and routine surgical procedures, resulting in paresthesia. Laser therapy has been shown to be able to accelerate and enhance the regeneration of the affected nerve tissue; however, there are few studies in the literature that evaluate the effects of treatment with low-power laser on neural changes after orthognathic or minor oral surgeries.

Dental Adhesion to Erbium-Lased Tooth Structure: A Review of the Literature.

Objective: The aim of the present study was to conduct a review of the literature about adhesion on erbium laser prepared cavities, related to the specific conditions of the irradiated dentin substrate and the effects on bond strength values.

Background Data: Advances in adhesive restorative techniques significantly influenced modern restorative dentistry. The concept of "minimally invasive dentistry" aims to perform more conservative treatment of cavities in which the removal of sound dentin is no longer necessary.

Laser therapy on points of acupuncture: Are there benefits in dentistry?

Studies have shown the use of laser therapy at points of acupuncture as an alternative to metal needles. The scientific literature in the area of laser acupuncture is rather large; however, the actual mechanisms and effects have not yet been proven in detail. Therefore, the current manuscript reviews the existing literature regarding the effects of laser acupuncture in Dentistry, seeking treatment modalities in which this technique is used and which are able to generate positive clinical results.

Benefits of laser phototherapy on nerve repair.

Post-traumatic nerve repair represents a major challenge to health sciences. Although there have been great advances in the last few years, it is still necessary to find methods that can effectively enhance nerve regeneration. Laser therapy has been widely investigated as a potential method for nerve repair.

Effect of Spiritist "passe" (Spiritual healing) on growth of bacterial cultures.

Background: Biofield therapies are approaches that harness energy fields to influence the human body. These therapies encompass Reiki, Qigong, Therapeutic Touch, Johrei and Spiritist "passe", among others. The aim of this study was to evaluate bacterial growth in two groups of cultures subjected to biofield therapy (Spiritist "passe" and laying on of hands (LOH)) in four situations (no intention, intention to inhibit bacterial growth, intention to promote growth, and influence of a negative factor) and compare them with a "no LOH/no treatment" group.

Immature mosquitoes of Serra do Mar park, Sao Paulo State, Brazil.

With the objective of providing knowledge about the natural habitat of mosquito larvae, we conducted a study on the culicid fauna and identified larval habitat types at 3 different locations in the Serra do Mar State Park, Brazil, over the 12 months of 1991. We collected 1,425 larvae belonging to 23 species, of which the most frequent were Culex iridescens, Culex spp., Limatus durhami, and Trichoprosopon pallidiventer.