The effect of light-emitting diode and laser on mandibular growth in rats

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effect of a light-emitting diode (LED) and/or low-level laser (LLL) with or without the use of anterior bite jumping appliances (also known as functional appliances [FAs]) on mandibular growth in rats. Materials and Methods: Thirty-six 8-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats weighing 200 g were obtained from Charles River Canada (St. Constant, QC, Canada) and were divided into six groups of six animals each. Groups were as follows: group 1: LLL; group 2: LLL + FA; group 3: LED; group 4: LED + FA; group 5: FA; and group 6: control (no treatment). Mandibular growth was evaluated by histomorphometric and micro computed tomographic (microCT) analyses. Results: The LED and LED + FA groups showed an increase in all condylar tissue parameters compared with other groups. Conclusion: The LED-treated groups showed more mandibular growth stimulation compared with the laser groups.