Effects of photobiomodulation on bone defects grafted with bone substitutes: A systematic review of in vivo animal studies

A present, photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) effectiveness in enhancing bone regeneration in bone defects grafted with or without biomaterials is unclear. This systematic review (PROSPERO, ref. CRD 42019148959) aimed to critically appraise animalin vivopublished data and present the efficacy of PBMT and its potential synergistic effects on grafted bone defects. MEDLINE, CCCT, Scopus, Science Direct, Google Scholar, EMBASE, EBSCO were searched, utilizing the following keywords: bone repair; low-level laser therapy; LLLT; light emitting diode; LEDs; photobiomodulation therapy;in vivoanimal studies, bone substitutes, to identify studies between 1994 and 2019. After applying the eligibility criteria, 38 papers included where the results reported according to PRISMA. The results revealed insufficient and incomplete PBM parameters, however, the outcomes with or without biomaterials have positive effects on bone healing. In conclusion,in vivoanimal studies with a standardized protocol to elucidate the effects of PBMT on biomaterials are required initially prior to clinical studies.

Automated summary

The study indicates that while the PBM parameters are insufficient and incomplete, bone healing shows positive effects with or without the use of biomaterials. Further research with standardized protocols are required to elucidate the effects of PBMT on biomaterials in animal studies.