Effects of LLLT in combination with bisphosphonate on bone healing in critical size defects: a histological and histometric study in rat calvaria

The purpose of this study was to analyze histologically the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) in combination with bisphosphonate on bone healing in surgically created critical size defects (CSD) in rat calvaria. One hundred Wistar female rats sham operated (sham) and ovariectomized (Ovx) were maintained untreated for 1 month to allow for the development of osteopenia in the Ovx animals. A CSD was made in the calvarium of each rat, and the animals were divided into five groups according to following treatments: (1) sham rats (control), (2) Ovx rats, (3) Ovx rats treated with LLLT, (4) Ovx rats treated with bisphosphonate, and (5) Ovx rats treated with bisphosphonate and LLLT.