Photobiomodulation and Growth Factors in Dentistry: A Systematic Review

Abstract

Photobiomodulation, or Low-Level Laser Therapy, is a therapeutic technique that can be applied in tissue regenerative surgery. By stimulating the cellular compartment, photobiomodulation promotes cell proliferation, enabling tissue restoration after dental extractions, periodontal surgical treatments, or the management of traumatic oral injuries. On the other hand, Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) or Platelet-Rich Fibrin (PRF) therapy is particularly effective in providing a source of growth factors that enhance tissue healing. Authors carried out a Systematic Review following the PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines by searching PubMed, Web of Science (WoS), Scopus, and Cochrane Library databases, using the combination of the following keywords: (“low laser therapy”) AND (“growth factors”) AND (dent* OR oral) and (“photobiomodulation”) AND (“growth factors”) AND (dent* OR oral). A total of 10 publications were deemed eligible for qualitative analysis. The evidence analyzed confirms that the use of photobiomodulation and PRP/PRF (alone or in combination) can stimulate tissue regeneration, allowing for a reduction in postoperative inflammation, wound healing, and new tissue formation. Moreover, these effects are strictly dependent on the intrinsic characteristics of the individual patient, the needs, and the clinical assessment of the practitioner who will appropriately direct the treatment. Furthermore, it is necessary to investigate with evidence-based methodologies (Evidence-based Medicine, EBM) which types of patients and/or lesions are more susceptible to treatment with these tools, as well as to understand the best ways of using (alone or in combination) these important and cutting-edge therapeutic options.