Reversal of orthodontic movement-induced pulpal histological damages in diabetic rats by low-level laser therapy

This study investigated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the pulpal alterations caused by tooth movement in diabetic rats. Forty-eight Wistar rats were divided into control (CTR), diabetic (DBT), and LLLT-treated counterparts. Diabetes was induced with alloxan, and orthodontic movement was performed for 13 days. LLLT (780 nm, 35 J/cm 2 ) was applied every 48 h for 7 days. Histological analyses assessed inflammation, stromal cell density (SCD), blood vessel count (BVC), odontoblastic layer thickness (OLT), and collagen deposition at 7 and 13 days. In 7 days, the DBT group showed significantly increased inflammation ( p < 0.01), and decreased blood vessel count ( p < 0.001) and cell rates ( p < 0.01) compared to CTR. The DBT/LT group presented inflammatory, vascular, and cell rates comparable to CTR, meaning LLLT reversed these changes. However, DBT/LT still showed significantly increased collagenization at both 7 ( p < 0.05) and 13 days ( p < 0.001). LLLT attenuates diabetes-exacerbated histological pulpal damage during orthodontic movement, supporting its potential as an adjunctive therapy in hyperglycemic conditions.