Revista fisio&terapia.
Laserterapia utilizada como tratamento de parestesia do nervo alveolar inferior: revisão de literatura
By Ana Clara Oliveira Amorim, Caio Faria de Oliveira, Ingrid Antunes Cacique Barros and 2 others.
Abstract
Introduction
Paresthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve is one of the possible neurosensory complications associated with various dental procedures, especially lower third molar surgeries, implant placement, endodontic procedures, and local anesthesia application. These changes can be temporary or permanent, depending on the extent of nerve damage, and often cause discomfort and concern for patients, as they interfere with daily functions and quality of life. Different approaches have been proposed for managing this condition, with low-level laser therapy, also known as low-intensity laser therapy, standing out. This therapy has been widely studied over the past decades due to its biomodulatory effects on biological tissues.
Objective
To discuss the indications, advantages, and disadvantages of laser therapy in treating inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia, as well as to identify how paresthesia of the inferior alveolar nerve occurs, report the advantages and disadvantages of using laser therapy in cases of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia, and compare the results of laser therapy and other treatment methods for inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia. Methodology: This research is an integrative literature review. The guiding question was: “Is laser therapy, in fact, an effective and scientifically supported method for treating inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia?” To gather the necessary material for this work, such as articles, theses, and dissertations, a search was conducted on the Google Scholar database platform using the descriptors: laser therapy in dentistry, inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia, and laser therapy for inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia. Final result: scientifically proven results were found for the effectiveness of laser therapy in cases of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia.