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Background: Low-level laser irradiation has been reported to enhance wound healing. Activation of gingival fibroblasts (GF) has a potential for early wound healing in periodontal treatment. The present study aimed to investigate the direct effect of low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation on gingival fibroblasts proliferation in order to clarify the laser effect on healing., Methods: Cultured human gingival fibroblasts (hGF) were exposed to low-power, pulsed Er:YAG laser irradiation with different energy densities ranging from 1.68 to 5.0 J/cm(2). The cultures were analyzed by means of trypan blue staining and counted under a light microscope. The effect of Er:YAG laser on hGF was also evaluated using a transmission electron microscope (TEM)., Results: Cultures irradiated with Er:YAG laser presented faster cell growth when compared with untreated controls. This difference was statistically significant. Transmission electron microscopy revealed rough endoplasmic reticulum, prominent Golgi complexes, and mitochondria after laser irradiation., Conclusions: Our results showed that the low-level Er:YAG laser irradiation stimulates the proliferation of cultured gingival fibroblasts. The optimal stimulative energy density was found to be 3.37 J/cm(2). This result suggests that Er:YAG laser irradiation may be of therapeutic benefit for wound healing.

Background: Previous scanning electron microscopy (SEM) studies using extracted teeth have shown the potential of infrared Er:YAG laser radiation to remove subgingival calculus without causing severe thermal changes, e.g., charring or fusion, to the irradiated root surface. The purpose of the present study was to examine the morphologic changes on root surfaces following Er:YAG laser irradiation in situ using histological observation., Methods: The periodontal pockets of 6 premolars, canines, and incisors that remained in situ in the jaws of human corpses were irradiated with Er:YAG laser radiation at 60 mJ, 100 mJ, or 180 mJ. The pockets were treated in a similar manner to normal clinical circumstances with a total amount of either 50 or 100 laser pulses. Following laser treatment, the entire tooth, marginal gingiva, and underlying alveolar bone were removed from the jaw. The sections were embedded in methyl-methacrylate, serially cross-sectioned, stained with hematoxylin and eosin or gallamine blue, and examined under a light microscope. Additionally, the extension of the thermally changed tissue areas was determined using digital images and histometry., Results: The histological examination revealed two kinds of thermal changes within the laser-treated root surface. Firstly, a thin superficial layer 5 to 10 microm in width was observed. The surface of this layer showed ultrastructural irregularities. Secondly, a semicircular more deeply stained area close to the apical end of the scaling track beneath the irradiated cementum was observed. The depth of this area ranged from 255 microm to 611 microm and appeared to be independent of the radiation energy., Conclusion: In contrast to previous SEM studies, the histological examination indicated thermal changes within the hard tissue bordering the periodontal pocket following Er:YAG laser irradiation.

A CO2 laser (Coherent Medical Model 400) was used to irradiate the gingival tissue of a cynomolgous monkey to determine laser effects on the epithelium and underlying connective tissue. A focal length of 400 mm and a 10-watt power setting at 0.2- and 0.5-second exposure was used. Biopsy results indicated that a 0.2-second duration of CO2 laser irradiation was inadequate to completely de-epithelialize the gingival tissue. A 0.5-second exposure exhibited complete epithelial destruction with little or no disturbance of the underlying connective tissue layer and viable connective tissue 1.0 mm below the impact site.

Free graft samples were excised via split thickness dissection from two mongrel dogs, washed in lactated Ringer's solution, immersed into tubes containing glycerol and distilled water, and frozen to -55 degrees C. Subsequently the grafts were exposed to 2.5 x 10-6 rads of 60-Co gamma-radiation. The irradiated allogeneic grafts were later reconstituted and surgically transferred to four recipient subjects. Three autogenous nonirradiated grafts were also placed as controls. The animals were killed so as to furnish healing data at 0, 3, 7, 10, and 40 days postoperatively. Fourteen allografts were evaluated. They were judged to be nonantigenic, immunologically incompetent and nonviable. However, retention of an essentially unaltered connective tissue corium may have been instrumental in supporting subsequent epithelial regeneration from adjacent host tissue, while being passively incorporated into a very dynamic receptor zone. The graft thus served as a scaffolding for connective tissue deposition and attachment. It appears that the experimental regime obviated the immunologic interference usually encountered in allografting procedures. Thus, high intensity irradiation of the graft tissue may have rendered the tissue to be immunologically tolerable. Further studies are required to ascertain the duration of the host's immunologic unresponsiveness to the alien tissue, as well as ultimate structural and biologic fate of the transplanted tissues. Experiments are now in progress which have been designed to test the extent of immunologic sensitization induced by the grafted tissue.