Objective: The purpose of this study was to assess the systemic effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on thyroid gland function and, consequently, calcium regulation -as measured by serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4), and free calcium levels -when administered after dental implant placement in a rabbit model. Background data: Protocols for the use of laser therapy in several clinical procedures are currently under investigation, as not all of the actions and systemic effects of laser irradiation have been clearly established. Materials and methods: Forty male adult New Zealand rabbits were distributed across five groups of eight animals each: two control groups (C-I and C-II) of unirradiated animals, and three experimental groups (E-5, E-10, and E-20), each exposed to a distinct dose of gallium-aluminum-arsenide (GaAlAs) laser [k = 830 nm, 50 mW, continuous wave (CW)] every 48 h for a total of seven sessions. The total dose per session was 5 J/cm 2 in E-5, 10 J/cm 2 in E-10, and 20 J/cm 2 in E-20. Animals in C-II and all experimental groups underwent surgical extraction of the mandibular left incisor followed by immediate placement of an osseointegrated implant (Nanotite Ò , Biomet 3i TM ) into the socket. Animals in group C-I served as an absolute control for T3, T4, and calcium measurements. The level of significance was set at 5% ( p £ 0.05). Results: ANOVA with Tukey's posthoc test revealed significant differences in T3 and calcium levels among experimental groups, as well as significant within-group differences in T3, T4, and calcium levels over time. Conclusions: Although not reaching abnormal values, LLLT applied to the mandible influenced thyroid function in this model.

IntroduçãoA Odontologia, atualmente, é uma profissão que possui avanços significativos a respeito das diversas técnicas e materiais utilizados em seus procedimentos clínicos. Contudo, os avanços que a envolvem não excluem a possibilidade da ocorrência de situações inesperadas, mais precisamente situações de emergências médicas que podem transcorrer durante o atendimento

<p><strong><em>Objectives: </em></strong><em>To assess by means of cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) the relative bone density of newly formed bone in rabbit mandibles treated with low-level laser therapy (LLLT) during distraction osteogenesis (DO). </em><strong><em>Methods: </em></strong><em>Seven rabbits underwent surgical osteotomy and immediate installation of a distractor on the mandible (right side). DO was performed for 10 days, and LLLT (aluminum-gallium-arsenide [AlGaAs] infrared laser, λ 830 nm, 40 mW) was applied during distractor activation (days 4-10). Three rabbits were euthanized at the end of the activation period (day 10, group A), and four at the end of the maturation period (day 20, group B). Quality and quantity of newly formed bone in the distracted area were measured on grayscale images using adjacente untreated areas as controls. Two CBCT images were acquired for each animal (before and after removal of soft tissue) to evaluate the influence of the soft tissue on X-ray beam attenuation. </em><strong><em>Results: </em></strong><em>Mean grayscale values in the distracted area were higher in group B rabbits (140.47 vs. 102.55 in group A), indicating greater bone maturation in a short period. Absence of soft tissues during CBCT scanning was associated with higher grayscale values, indicative of less X-ray beam attenuation. </em><strong><em>Conclusions: </em></strong><em>It is possible to measure differences in bone density in areas subjected to DO on CBCT scans, providing an objective assessment useful for monitoring bone quality during the repair process.</em></p><p><em> </em></p>

IntroduçãoCicatrização em tecidos é um processo complexo, pois pode sofrer influência de fatores locais e sistêmicos, além de envolver várias células, enzimas e fatores de crescimento¹. Durante esse período, pacientes submetidos à cirurgia bucal podem apresentar dor, trismo e edema, que, além de promover maior desconforto pós-operatório e atraso na reparação tecidual, podem prejudicar o retorno do paciente a suas atividades diárias².Nesses casos, o uso de terapia com laser de baixa potência atua melhorando o processo de reparo em tecidos biológicos por sua capacidade biomoduladora³, atuando positivamente na cicatrização de tecidos moles por favorecer a angiogenese, com o aumento de células como os fibroblastos, acarretando em aumento da síntese de colágeno e na proliferação de células epiteliais 4,5 . Em tecidos ós-seos, essa terapia atua pelo aumento na atividade osteoblástica, na organização das fibras colágenas e na vascularização 6 . Além disso, também promove efeito analgésico, pois ocorre aumento da endorfina circulante e do efeito anti-inflamatório por meio da quebra de mastócitos, aumento na histamina e provoca vasodilatação, o que acarreta no aumento da permeabilidade vascular e atua na ciclo-oxigenase, inibindo as prostaglandinas sobre ácido araquidô-nico 7,8 .