Alexis Vera

Laser acupuncture, defined as photobiomodulation or low-level laser therapy applied to specific acupuncture points, has been proposed as a non-invasive adjunctive strategy in oral and dental care. This umbrella review aimed to synthesize and critically appraise systematic reviews evaluating laser acupuncture in dental and orofacial conditions. The review followed PRISMA 2020 recommendations and was prospectively registered in PROSPERO. PubMed, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Library were searched from inception to 12 May 2026. Systematic reviews with or without meta-analysis were included. Methodological quality was assessed using AMSTAR 2, and findings were narratively synthesized considering methodological quality, overlap, consistency, dosimetric heterogeneity, and clinical applicability. From 263 records identified, six systematic reviews published between 2021 and 2024 met the eligibility criteria. The included reviews addressed three main domains: temporomandibular disorders, dental-related neuropathies, and pediatric dental outcomes. Laser acupuncture protocols used red to near-infrared wavelengths, mainly between 690 and 980 nm, but varied substantially in fluence, energy delivery, irradiation time, session frequency, and acupoint selection. The most consistent signal was observed for short-term pain reduction in temporomandibular disorders, although comparative evidence did not support laser acupuncture as superior to established conservative therapies. Evidence for dental-related neuropathies was associated with possible improvements in neurosensory and motor outcomes, while pediatric evidence suggested possible short-term changes in gag reflex, procedural pain, and bruxism-related outcomes; however, both domains were supported by only one systematic review each and should be considered preliminary and hypothesis-generating. No serious adverse events were reported, but harm reporting was limited. Overall, this umbrella review should be interpreted as an evidence map rather than as a source of high-certainty clinical recommendations. Laser acupuncture may represent an emerging adjunctive approach for selected dental and orofacial indications; however, current evidence remains limited and heterogeneous and does not support standardized protocols, stand-alone use, or definitive clinical recommendations.

As the global population ages, the need for biomaterials capable of supporting bone repair and regeneration is steadily increasing. Particularly, enhancing early peri-implant bone regeneration remains a key challenge in implant therapy, particularly in situations requiring improved biological responsiveness at the implant surface. In this study, cholecalciferol-loaded poly(ε-caprolactone) (PCL) nanofiber meshes were fabricated by electrospinning to create conformal, homogeneous drug delivery coatings on titanium mini-implants. The electrospun meshes exhibited uniform fiber morphology, consistent thickness control, and mechanical properties required for handling and implantation. Cholecalciferol was successfully incorporated into the PCL matrix and released in a sustained manner. In vitro studies using MSCs and MG-63 cells showed that the coatings were cytocompatible and supported osteogenic activity, including increased ALP activity, collagen, and mineralized extracellular matrix deposition. In a rat tibia model, Ti mini-implants coated with the cholecalciferol-loaded PCL meshes exhibited improved early peri-implant bone formation, exhibiting higher bone volume and a denser trabecular microarchitecture compared with uncoated implants, without eliciting systemic or local toxicity. In conclusion, localized cholecalciferol release from nanofibrous PCL coatings can be used as an effective strategy to modulate early peri-implant biology and accelerate implant osseointegration.