Arshad M. et al. - Photobiomodulation and implant stability in humans: a meta-analysis

Photobiomodulation is associated with improved stability of dental implants at certain measurement time points, particularly during the early stages of healing. This systematic review with meta-analysis included 17 human clinical studies, 14 of which were analyzed quantitatively.

What this study measured

The study examined the specific effect of photobiomodulation on dental implant stability, independent of other interventions. The authors searched PubMed/MEDLINE, the Cochrane Library, Embase, Scopus, and Google Scholar for articles published through June 2024. All randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials conducted in humans that reported the isolated effect of photobiomodulation on implant stability were eligible. Means, standard deviations, and sample sizes were extracted for the meta-analysis. After reviewing the full-text articles, 17 articles were selected for the systematic review and 14 for the meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using Stata 17 with random-effects models, and heterogeneity was estimated using the I² statistic. The abstract does not mention a PROSPERO registration or the total number of participants.

Key Findings

Implant stability was measured using two distinct methods—the implant stability quotient (ISQ) and the Periotest value (PTV)—which led to separate analyses.

• 17 studies were included in the systematic review, 14 of which were included in the meta-analysis.
• Groups reporting the ISQ: a statistically significant difference between the laser group and the control group at week 2 (p = 0.01, 95% CI).
• Groups reporting PTV: statistically significant differences at weeks 4 and 8 (p < 0.001, 95% CI).
• The benefit described by the authors mainly pertains to the early stages of wound healing.
• No quantified effect size, in ISQ or PTV points, is reported in the study abstract.

How photobiomodulation works for this indication

The proposed mechanisms remain hypothetical and are not measured in this study. Red and near-infrared light is thought to be absorbed by cytochrome c oxidase in the mitochondrial respiratory chain, which could increase the production of ATP available to peri-implant bone cells. This energy would support osteoblast activity and bone remodeling at the implant surface, two processes that determine osseointegration. A modulation of oxidative stress and postoperative inflammatory mediators is also suggested. The fact that differences appear early, as early as the second week, is consistent with an effect on initial wound healing, although this has not been proven.

Limits You Should Know

The authors themselves acknowledge limitations in their work. The reported differences are presented as p-values, without any usable effect size; therefore, it is unclear by how much stability varies. The results are not significant at all measurement time points or with both methods, which makes the picture inconsistent. The review combines randomized trials and controlled clinical trials, both of which are more prone to bias. The photobiomodulation parameters used are not detailed in the abstract, so no protocol can be inferred from it.

What This Means in Practice

This study describes a measurable effect on indicators of implant stability, particularly during the first few weeks of healing. It does not state whether this difference translates into a higher long-term implant survival rate, a criterion that is not addressed. The decision to combine photobiomodulation with implant placement is up to the clinician, depending on the surgical protocol and the patient’s profile.

Frequently Asked Questions

At what point does photobiomodulation appear to affect implant stability?

Significant differences were observed at week 2 in the groups evaluated using ISQ and at weeks 4 and 8 in those evaluated using Periotest. The authors attribute the benefit primarily to the early phases of healing. No long-term data are presented in the abstract.

How many human clinical trials does this meta-analysis include?

Seventeen articles met the criteria for the systematic review, and fourteen were included in the meta-analysis. These were randomized controlled trials and controlled clinical trials conducted in humans. Only studies reporting the isolated effect of photobiomodulation were included.

By how much does implant stability increase with photobiomodulation?

The study abstract does not provide this information. It reports statistically significant differences between the laser and control groups, expressed as p-values, but does not provide any effect sizes in terms of ISQ or PTV scores. It is therefore not possible to quantify the benefit.

Reference

Arshad M, Mazidi Y, Chiniforush N, Shirvani A, Bassir SH. The effect of photobiomodulation therapy on implant stability: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Photochemistry and Photobiology, 2024. PMID 39400334. View the study on PubMed

This summary is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Photobiomodulation is not a substitute for prescribed treatment. Consult a healthcare professional.