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Lasers in Dentistry: Minimally Invasive Instruments for the Modern Practice
Photobiomodulation (Biostimulation)

Course Author(s): Steven R. Pohlhaus, DDS

Photobiomodulation (Biostimulation)

All four laser types discussed here have photobiomodulation properties in addition to their surgical capabilities.  The terms Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) or biostimulation are often used to describe this phenomenon.

In dentistry biostimulation can be used for many things including:

  • Treatment of recurrent aphthous stomatitis and traumatic ulcers.
  • Reduction of oral edema.
  • Post-operative analgesia following periodontic, oral surgery, and endodontic procedures.
  • Treatment of recurrent intraoral and labial herpes.
  • Management of inflammatory conditions such as erosive lichen planus.
  • Reduce pain of orthodontics.
  • Management of temporomandibular disorder.
Figure 46. Laser treatment of Aphthous Ulcers.
This image depicts a series of four photos showing the healing process over four days of an aphthous stomatitis treated with combination therapy of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG biostimulation.
Recurrent aphthous stomatitis treated with combination therapy of Nd:YAG and Er:YAG biostimulation. The patient feels immediate pain relief and the lesion usually remains comfortable. This particular patient’s aphthous ulcers usually last ten to fourteen days yet with laser treatment the ulcer heals in a matter of days.
Figure 47. Oral Diagnosis – Herpes Treatment.
This image depicts a series of three photos showing the healing process over 48 hours of a palatal herpes type I outbreak.
This patient suffered from recurrent palatal herpes type I outbreaks two or three times a year. The lesion had just started when treated with dual wavelength biostimulative therapy with an Nd:YAG and Er:YAG laser. Her relief was immediate and at two day follow up the lesion had already repithelialized fifty percent.
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