Non-Cochrane · intervention · PM42782986
Photobiomodulation in Dental Implant Surgery: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.
Mateus Olívia Tosta de Macedo Vianna, Czermainski Fernanda Rasch, Mateus Tiago Henrique de Abreu, et al. · Dentistry journal · 2026 · PubMed · doi:10.3390/dj14090599
Findings
Population Adults undergoing dental implant placement
42 findings
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 3 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 1.95 [-0.31, 4.21] GRADE not reported 4 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) all time points | MD 86.02 [-28.48, 200.52] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) 12 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 184.87 [-276.48, 646.22] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Marginal bone loss (mm) 12 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -0.16 [-0.26, -0.06] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 6 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 2.95 [-0.15, 6.06] GRADE not reported 5 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) 12 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 15.7 [-3.4, 34.8] GRADE not reported 1 study · 11 participants |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) 4 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -0.92 [-1.49, -0.34] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ): association of energy dose with effect 12 weeks · Meta-regression by energy dose | meta-regression coefficient -0.076 [-0.295, 0.143] GRADE not reported 6 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) 8 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -0.67 [-1.45, 0.11] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) baseline · Follow-up time | MD -0.14 [-0.54, 0.26] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) 6 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -20.17 [-41.48, 1.13] GRADE not reported 1 study · 20 participants |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) baseline · Follow-up time | MD -0.16 [-0.64, 0.32] GRADE not reported 5 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 2 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 1.85 [-0.68, 4.38] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) 4 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 5.3 [-8.12, 18.72] GRADE not reported 1 study · 11 participants |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) 5 days · Follow-up time | MD -0.29 [-0.38, -0.2] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) 3 days · Follow-up time | MD -0.25 [-0.56, 0.05] GRADE not reported 5 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Marginal bone loss (mm) all time points Unresolved: the two extractors disagree on this row. | MD -0.09 [-0.16, -0.01] Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 6 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) all time points | MD -0.55 [-0.84, -0.27] Low Downgraded: risk of bias, inconsistency 5 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) baseline · Follow-up time | MD 0.02 [-0.96, 1] GRADE not reported 12 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Marginal bone loss (mm) 6 months · Follow-up time | MD -0.04 [-0.57, 0.49] GRADE not reported 4 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) all time points Unresolved: the two extractors disagree on this row. | MD -0.27 [-0.35, -0.19] Moderate Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision 6 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 9 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 1.56 [-4.49, 7.62] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) 6 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 7.47 [-7.34, 22.28] GRADE not reported 1 study · 18 participants |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) baseline · Follow-up time | MD -0.38 [-6.62, 5.85] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) 2 days · Follow-up time | MD -0.31 [-1.2, 0.57] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) 7 days · Follow-up time | MD -0.1 [-0.37, 0.16] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Marginal bone loss (mm) baseline · Follow-up time | MD 0 [-0.06, 0.05] GRADE not reported 4 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) all time points Unresolved: the two extractors disagree on this row. | MD 1.26 [0.61, 1.91] Low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 13 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Marginal bone loss (mm) 12 months · Follow-up time | MD -0.11 [-0.25, 0.03] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) 6 months · Follow-up time | MD -0.59 [-1.71, 0.54] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) 6 months · Follow-up time | MD 24.19 [0.89, 47.48] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 6 months · Follow-up time | MD 1.65 [-0.53, 3.83] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) 2 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -0.04 [-1.71, 1.62] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (Periotest) 12 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -1.71 [-2.75, -0.67] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) 1 day · Follow-up time | MD -0.35 [-0.66, -0.03] GRADE not reported 6 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 7 days · Follow-up time | MD 1.43 [-1, 3.86] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 10 days · Follow-up time | MD 2.27 [0.4, 4.13] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 4 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 1.51 [-0.99, 4.02] GRADE not reported 3 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) all time points | MD 9.82 [1.08, 18.56] Very low Downgraded: risk of bias, imprecision, inconsistency 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) baseline · Follow-up time | MD 114.07 [22.78, 205.36] GRADE not reported 2 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Implant stability (ISQ) 12 weeks · Follow-up time | MD 0.89 [-0.78, 2.55] GRADE not reported 6 studies |
| Adjunctive photobiomodulation (laser or LED) | Sham or no photobiomodulation | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) 4 weeks · Follow-up time | MD -61.39 [-82.81, -39.97] GRADE not reported 1 study · 38 participants |
Included primary studies 63
Open in Studies| Study | Year | Also included by | Outcomes it informs here | Trial data |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Attia 2023 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | 1 other review | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Alashhab 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Arakeeb 2019 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Arakeeb 2019 Effect of Combined Application of Growth Factors and Diode Laser Bio-Stimulation on the Osseo Integration of Dental Implants. PMID:31666858 | 2019 | this review only | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) | not extracted yet |
| Attia 2023 The Influence of Low-Level Laser Therapy on CBCT Radiographic and Biochemical Profiles of Type II Controlled Diabetic Patients After… PMID:37102010 | 2023 | this review only | Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) | not extracted yet |
| Bakry 2020 EVALUATION OF CRESTAL BONE CHANGES AROUND DELAYED IMPLANT IN RESPONSE TO DIODE LASER THEARAPY: A RANDOMIZED CONTROLLED CLINICAL TRIAL. DOI:10.21608/edj.2020.24407.1039 | 2020 | this review only | Marginal bone loss (mm) | not extracted yet |
| Bakry 2020 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Basualdo Allende 2024 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Basualdo Allende 2024 Effectiveness of Low-Level Laser Therapy in reducing postoperative pain after dental implant surgery: A randomized clinical trial. PMID:39098624 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Bilge 2022 Efficacy of diode laser therapy on osseointegration of dental implants: A split-mouth clinical study DOI:10.4328/acam.20900 | 2022 | this review only | Implant stability (Periotest) | not extracted yet |
| Bilge 2022 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Bozkaya 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Bozkaya 2021 The stability of implants and microbiological effects following photobiomodulation therapy with one-stage placement: A randomized,… PMID:33851765 | 2021 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Caccianiga 2020 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Caccianiga 2020 Evaluation of effectiveness of photobiostimulation in alleviating side effects after dental implant surgery. A randomized clinical trial. PMID:31967979 | 2020 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Camolesi 2023 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Camolesi 2023 Photobiomodulation in dental implant stability and post-surgical healing and inflammation. A randomised double-blind study. PMID:36541106 | 2023 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Collado-Murcia 2024 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Collado-Murcia 2024 Efficacy of Photobiomodulation in the Management of Pain and Inflammation after Dental Implants: A Randomized Clinical Trial. PMID:39407769 | 2024 | this review only | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) | not extracted yet |
| Deljavan 2024 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Deljavan 2024 Effect of postoperative 660-nm low-level laser therapy on the radiographic crestal bone loss of fresh-socket dental implants. PMID:39386130 | 2024 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| El Makaky 2020 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| El Makaky 2020 A National Consensus Survey for Current Practice in Brain Tumor Management III: Brain Metastasis and Primary Central Nervous System… PMID:32390350 | 2020 | this review only | Implant stability (Periotest); Marginal bone loss (mm); Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) | not extracted yet |
| Elsyad 2019 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Elsyad 2019 Effect of Low-Level Laser Irradiation on Stability and Marginal Bone of Narrow Implants Retaining Overdentures in Moderately Controlled… PMID:31389750 | 2019 | this review only | Implant stability (Periotest); Marginal bone loss (mm) | not extracted yet |
| Fahim 2022 Effect of Low-Level Diode Laser Bio-Stimulation on Implant Stability Before, During and After Immediate Implants in Mandibular Molars. (A… DOI:10.54623/fdj.8023 | 2022 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Fahim 2022 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| García-Morales 2012 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| García-Morales 2012 Stability of dental implants after irradiation with an 830-nm low-level laser: a double-blind randomized clinical study. PMID:21732113 | 2012 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Gokmenoglu 2014 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gokmenoglu 2014 The effect of light-emitting diode photobiomodulation on implant stability and biochemical markers in peri-implant crevicular fluid. PMID:24552468 | 2014 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Gulati 2020 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Gulati 2020 Effect of low level laser therapy on crestal bone levels around dental implants-A pilot study. PMID:33063461 | 2020 | this review only | Marginal bone loss (mm) | not extracted yet |
| Hamed 2013 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) | not extracted yet |
| Karaca 2017 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Karaca 2018 Is Low-level laser therapy and gaseous ozone application effective on osseointegration of immediately loaded implants? PMID:29888715 | 2018 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ); Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) | not extracted yet |
| Kinalski 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Kinalski 2021 Influence of low-level laser therapy on implant stability in implants placed in healed sites: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:34059974 | 2021 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ); Marginal bone loss (mm) | not extracted yet |
| Lobato 2020 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Lobato 2020 Influence of low-level laser therapy on implant stability in implants placed in fresh extraction sockets: A randomized clinical trial. PMID:32329198 | 2020 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ); Marginal bone loss (mm) | not extracted yet |
| Makker 2024 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Makker 2024 Evaluation of effect of low-level laser therapy on alleviation of pain in patients with implant-supported mandibular overdenture: A pilot… PMID:40227938 | 2024 | this review only | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) | not extracted yet |
| Mandic 2015 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mandic 2015 Influence of postoperative low-level laser therapy on the osseointegration of self-tapping implants in the posterior maxilla: a 6-week… PMID:25958474 | 2015 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Matys 2019 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Matys 2019 Photobiomodulation by a 635nm Diode Laser on Peri-Implant Bone: Primary and Secondary Stability and Bone Density Analysis-A Randomized… PMID:31143771 | 2019 | this review only | Implant stability (Periotest); Peri-implant bone density (3D CBCT, HU) | not extracted yet |
| Memarian 2018 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Memarian 2018 The effect of low-level laser 810 nm and light-emitting diode photobiomodulation (626 nm) on the stability of the implant and inflammatory… PMID:30123306 | 2018 | this review only | Implant stability (Periotest) | not extracted yet |
| Mikhail 2018 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mikhail 2018 Effect of Laser Therapy on the Osseointegration of Immediately Loaded Dental Implants in Patients under Vitamin C, Omega-3 and Calcium… PMID:30159079 | 2018 | this review only | Peri-implant bone density (2D radiography, grayscale) | not extracted yet |
| Mohajerani 2020 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Mohajerani 2020 Can Low-Level Laser and Light-Emitting Diode Enhance the Stability of Dental Implants? PMID:32346244 | 2020 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Momeni 2024 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Momeni 2024 Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on the Osseointegration of Immediately Loaded Implants with a Connective Tissue Graft: A Randomized… PMID:39050993 | 2024 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Palled 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Palled 2021 Assessment of the Healing of Dental Implant Surgical Site Following Low-Level Laser Therapy Using Bioclinical Parameters: An Exploratory… PMID:32662840 | 2021 | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Reza 2021 Efficacy of photo bio-modulation therapy for pain relief and soft tissue wound healing after dental implant surgery: A double-blind… DOI:10.1016/j.jpap.2021.100062 | 2021 | this review only | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) | not extracted yet |
| Reza 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Sahtout 2021 A Clinical Study of the Effect of Low-Level Laser Treatment on the Clinical Stability of Immediately Loaded Implants in Posterior Maxilla DOI:10.19070/2377-8075-21000374 | 2021 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Sahtout 2021 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Torkzaban 2018 matched by author and year (probable) | NR | this review only | not stated | not extracted yet |
| Torkzaban 2018 Low-level laser therapy with 940 nm diode laser on stability of dental implants: a randomized controlled clinical trial. PMID:29082462 | 2018 | this review only | Implant stability (ISQ) | not extracted yet |
| Zou 2024 Low-level laser therapy on soft tissue healing after implantation: a randomized controlled trial. PMID:39639276 | 2024 | this review only | Postoperative pain (VAS/NRS) | not extracted yet |
Overlap with other reviews
Reviews that include the same primary studies are not independent evidence. Shared counts match studies by PMID, DOI or NCT, and otherwise by author and year (a probable match). Only the non-Cochrane dental reviews have study lists, so overlap with Cochrane reviews is not counted yet.
| Review | Shared studies | Jaccard |
|---|---|---|
| Marginal and internal fit of CAD/CAM restorations with CAD-defined cement space: a meta-analysis of micro-CT studies. (2026) | 1 | 0.01 |
Review question
| Element | Planned (methods) | Found (results) |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Adults (>=18 years) undergoing dental implant placement in healed or immediate sites; controlled systemic conditions eligible; pediatric patients and cases with extensive bone grafting or sinus lifts excluded | 829 patients and 1278 implants; generally healthy adults (mean ages mid-20s to mid-60s), some with controlled type 2 diabetes; maxillary and mandibular sites (n=32) |
| Intervention | PBM via low-level laser or LED applied preoperatively, intraoperatively and/or postoperatively; any wavelength, dosimetry or protocol | Low-level lasers or LEDs, 630-980 nm, 20-200 mW, about 0.5-8 J per point; single intraoperative to multiple sessions up to 14 days (n=32) |
| Comparison | Sham/placebo irradiation; no PBM (standard care) | Sham/placebo irradiation or no PBM (n=32) |
| Outcomes | Primary: implant stability (ISQ or Periotest), peri-implant bone density, marginal bone loss, postoperative pain (VAS or NRS). Secondary: peri-implant inflammation, soft tissue healing, postoperative complications | ISQ (n=13); Periotest (n=5); bone density 3D CBCT HU (n=3); bone density 2D radiographic grayscale (n=2); marginal bone loss (n=6); postoperative pain VAS (n=6); 30 of 32 trials in meta-analyses |
| Study designs | RCTs (parallel or split-mouth); English-language peer-reviewed articles | RCTs: parallel-group (n=20), split-mouth (n=12) |
| Timing | All reported follow-up time points | Immediate postoperative to 12 months (ISQ and Periotest to 6 months; bone density to 6 months; MBL to 12 months; pain to 7 days) |
AMSTAR 2 items
Two independent extractors rated each item. Their ratings are shown side by side because they have not been reconciled yet. The overall rating follows Shea et al. 2017: one critical flaw gives Low, more than one gives Critically Low.
| Item | Extractor A | Extractor B | Agree |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1Research question includes PICO components | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 2Protocol established before the reviewcritical | Partial Yes | Partial Yes | yes |
| 3Choice of study designs explained | No | Yes | no |
| 4Comprehensive literature searchcritical | No | Yes | no |
| 5Study selection in duplicate | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 6Data extraction in duplicate | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 7List of excluded studies with reasonscritical | No | No | yes |
| 8Included studies described in detail | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 9Risk of bias assessed satisfactorilycritical | RCT: Yes · NRSI: N/A | NRSI: N/A · RCT: Yes | no |
| 10Funding of included studies reported | No | No | yes |
| 11Appropriate meta-analysis methodscritical | RCT: No · NRSI: N/A | NRSI: N/A · RCT: No | no |
| 12Impact of risk of bias on the pooled results | No | Yes | no |
| 13Risk of bias accounted for in interpretationcritical | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 14Heterogeneity explained | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 15Publication bias investigatedcritical | Yes | Yes | yes |
| 16Conflicts of interest reported | Yes | Yes | yes |
| Overall | Critically Low | Critically Low | yes |