Comparative Study of Photobiomodulation Effects on Alveolar Socket Hard Tissue Healing in Rats: Application of 980 nm Versus 810 nm Lasers

<b><i>Background:</i></b> This study aimed to explore the differential effects of photobiomodulation (PBM) via 980 nm and 810 nm lasers on the hard tissue healing of rat alveolar sockets, with a focus on a comparative analysis of hard tissue regeneration and osteogenic gene expression. <b><i>Objective:</i></b> This study aimed to explore the effects of PBM using 980 nm and 810 nm lasers on hard tissue healing of rat alveolar sockets, focusing on hard tissue regeneration and osteogenic gene expression. <b><i>Materials and Methods:</i></b> Thirty-six male Wistar rats (5 weeks old) had both right and left maxillary first molars extracted. Post extraction, the right alveolar sockets received PBM treatment with either 980 nm (0.3 W, 18 J/cm²) or 810 nm (0.1 W, 6 J/cm²) lasers for seven days, whereas the left sockets served as controls. Rats were euthanized on days 3, 7, 14, and 28 for histopathological, immunohistochemical, micro computed tomography (micro-CT), and quantitative polymerase chain reactionanalyses. <b><i>Results:</i></b> On day 3, early granulation tissue, neovascularization, and inflammatory cell aggregates were observed in all groups. By day 7, active osteoclasts and osteoblasts were noted, with a significant increase in CD31-positive cells in the 980 nm group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Day 14 showed new bone formation, and by day 28, increased cancellous bone and collagen content were present in all groups, with no significant differences between them (<i>p</i> > 0.05). Gene expression analysis revealed higher BMP-2 and Runx-2 levels in laser-treated groups on day 14 (<i>p</i> < 0.05), with the 980 nm group having higher BMP-2 levels than the 810 nm group (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Bone sialoprotein expression was higher in laser-treated groups on days 14 and 28 (<i>p</i> < 0.05), and osteocalcin expression was highest in the 980 nm group on both days (<i>p</i> < 0.05). Micro-CT analysis showed no significant differences among groups in bone mineral density, bone surface (BS)/bone volume (BV), or bone volume (BV)/TV (total volume) indices. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> PBM with 980 nm and 810 nm lasers promotes early-stage hard tissue healing in extraction sockets, with the 980 nm laser more effectively enhancing osteogenic gene expression, suggesting its potential as an adjunctive therapy in dental and oral surgery.