THE USE OF LASER THERAPY IN THE TREATMENT OF RADIATION-ASSOCIATED OSTEONECROSIS OF THE JAWS IN THE HEAD AND NECK REGION

Abstract

Osteonecrosis of the jawbone can be triggered by local or systemic factors, including drugs such as bisphosphonates, which act mainly on osteoclasts, and radiotherapy, which mainly affects angiogenesis and osteoblasts. Radiotherapy is a treatment that uses electromagnetic radiation to affect tissue cells. This study aims to describe the use of laser therapy in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with radiation in the head and neck region. This is an integrative bibliographic review with a qualitative approach. The articles were selected from the LILACS, SCIELO and PUBMED databases. The literature shows that low-power laser has the ability to accelerate the tissue repair process, reduce pain and edema, reduce signs of inflammation and promote the formation of new bone tissue. The use of laser therapy has been highly effective in the treatment of osteonecrosis of the jaws associated with radiation in the head and neck region.