Aim: The aim of this in vitro study was to evaluate a potential stimulatory effect of low-level laser irradiation on the proliferation of human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (PDLF).
Materials and methods: PDLF obtained from third molar periodontal ligaments were cultured under standard conditions and spread on 96-well tissue culture plates. Subconfluent monolayers were irradiated with an 809-nm diode laser operated at a power output of 10 mW in the continuous wave (cw) mode at energy fluences of 1.96-7.84 Jcm-2. The variable irradiation parameters were the time of exposure (75-300 s per well) and the number of irradiations (1-3). After laser treatment, the cultures were incubated for 24 h. The proliferation rate of the lased and control cultures was determined by means of fluorescence activity of a reduction-oxidation (REDOX) indicator (Alamar Blue Assay) added to the cell culture. Proliferation, expressed in relative fluorescence units (RFU), was determined 24, 48 and 72 h after irradiation.
Results: The irradiated cells revealed a considerably higher proliferation activity than the controls. The differences were significant up to 72 h after irradiation (Mann-Whitney U-test, p<0.05).
Conclusion: A cellular effect of the soft laser application is clearly discernible. Clinical studies are needed to evaluate whether the application of low-level laser therapy might be beneficial in regenerative periodontal therapy.