Health-Related Quality of Life with Iatrogenic Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injuries Treated with Photobiomodulation: A...

Background/Objectives: Photobiomodulation therapy (PBM) creates a biostimulatory or modulatory effect, promoting tissue regeneration and improving patients' health-related quality of life (HRQoL). PBM has shown promise as an effective treatment and management strategy for peripheral nerve injuries, including inferior alveolar nerve (IAN) damage. This study aims to assess the impact of PBM on HRQoL in patients with iatrogenic IAN injuries. Methods: A prospective study was implemented to investigate the research question. PBM treatments were administered weekly, with patient discharge contingent upon either complete recovery or stabilization of associated signs and symptoms. HRQoL was assessed using the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire at the initial and final appointments. Results: The study included 71 participants, divided into 3 groups based on etiology: inferior third molar surgery, mandibular orthognathic surgery, and dental implant surgery. The results showed a widespread reduction of symptoms along with a statistically significant improvement (p < 0.001) across four of the five dimensions of the EQ-5D-5L questionnaire, as well as in patients' perceived health levels in both Groups I and II. Group III patients also demonstrated a notable improvement; however, due to the small sample size, statistical analysis was not conducted for this group. Conclusions: PBM demonstrated a comparable ability to enhance HRQoL and alleviate symptoms in patients with IAN injuries within different etiologies. These findings underscore the effectiveness of the protocol used in this study and highlight potential avenues for expanding research in this field.