Laser therapy as treatment for oral paresthesia arising from mandibular third molar extraction

Oral paresthesia is a localized condition of sensory abnormality that occurs in the presence of injury in one of the nerves in the region after certain dental procedures. The aim of this study was to present a case report of a patient who received low-level laser therapy as treatment for inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia due to mandibular third molar extraction surgery. A 25-year-old female patient reported lack of sensitivity for 6 months in various regions of the bucomaxillofacial complex after surgery. Laser therapy (808 ± 10nm, 100 mW, 3J per point and 30 seconds per point) was indicated twice a week. The degree of sensitivity was evaluated using a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and with the aid of a microbrush. Prior to laser therapy, the patient reported VAS = 10, i.e., total lack of sensitivity. After 72 hours of the first session, the patient reported improvement of sensitivity in the chin (VAS = 5) and oral regions (VAS = 5), reporting recovery of sensitivity and that the area of paresthesia decreased. After 8 sessions, the patient reported total recovery of sensitivity in the chin, oral and gum regions (VAS = 0), with paresthesia being limited only to the left lower lip region and below it. After 26 sessions, the patient reported recovery of sensitivity in all affected regions (VAS = 0), with positive responses to the brush touch. Within the parameters used, laser therapy was effective in the treatment of inferior alveolar nerve paresthesia after third molar tooth extraction. Key words:Lasers, paresthesia, oral surgery, low-level laser therapy.