الفهرس 
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Abstract
The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of low intensity laser irradiation (LILI) on healing process of a mandibular fracture in the tooth-bearing area and whether it is suitable as an adjunctive treatment with a short period of maxillomandibular fixation (MMF). Patients and methods: the study comprised 30 patients with mandibular fractures at the tooth-bearing area associated with no other facial fractures. They were randomly assigned into 2 equal groups : study group was treated with MMF then subjected to LILI. Control group patients were treated with conventional MMF without LILI application. After healing was recorded in both groups, MMF was released while arch bars were left wired to both jaws and each patient was instructed to maintain soft diet until the end period of treatment which is 6 weeks after fixation. The 2 groups were compared in relation to: stability (healing time), maximal mouth opening (MMO), postoperative complications (pain, paresthesia, infection and malocclusion). Cone beam computed tomography (CBCT) was undertaken at first and third months after fixation to determine bone density of the callus at the fracture site. Groups were then compared for significant differences, A value of p <0.5 was considered significant. Results : The influence of LILI was statistically significant regarding pain reduction (p=.004). Infection was not noticed in any patient in both groups. There is a significant difference regarding MMO immediately after MMF release and at three successive weeks later (p= .011, .007, .001 and .028 respectively). The stability was early detected in the study group at the second and third weeks while in the control group, it was not detected until the fourth week after fixation. CBCT showed greater bone density in the study group, the increase in mean bone density from the first month to the third month in each group was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion based on the results of this study, it was suggested that LILI can facilitate fracture healing in terms of pain reduction and bone healing acceleration. So it can be used as an adjunctive therapy to reduce the long period of MMF and its adverse effects.