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Open research questions in Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine

55 unresolved questions extracted from the limitations and future-work sections of 877 Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine papers in our library. Each links back to the study that raised it.

What the literature leaves open

  • A methodological limitation of this study is that the thermal and optical properties of the skin layers and SCC tumor were assumed to be temperature-independent constants.

    Numerical optimization of laser radius ratio and power in photothermal therapy of various ellipsoidal tumor shape · 2026 · DOI

  • Some limitations of this study should be acknowledged. Pain assessment was limited to a unidimensional measure (VAS), which does not capture emotional, func- tional, and psychosocial dimensions.

    Effectiveness of low-level laser therapy compared to standard postoperative care on pain intensity and cesarean section wound healing in the immediate postoperative period: a randomized clinical trial · 2026 · DOI

  • This study was conducted as a feasibility trial, which in- herently focuses on assessing protocol implementation, safety, adherence, and preliminary clinical responses, rather than 59 H.A. Barra Ortiz, S.C. Núñez, K.F. Labra, A.J. Martuffi, D.T. Acuña, R.E. LiebanoHigh-intensity laser therapy and stretching exercises for chronic non-specific neck pain Physiother Quart 2026, 34(2) establishing definitive treatment effectiveness [41, 42]. Al- though the findings suggest potential benefits of HILT com- bined with stretching exercises for CNNP, they remain explor- atory and should be confirmed in larger, controlled trials. The absence of a control group restricts the ability to compare the outcomes with other interventions. Additionally, although the sample size was calculated a priori based on expected effect sizes, the number of partici- pants may limit the generalisability of the results. Further- more, the one-month follow-up period may be insufficient to capture long-term treatment effects, suggesting that research- ers require extended follow-up in future studies. An impor- tant limitation is the unbalanced sex distribution in the sam- ple, which may have influenced the treatment response and limits the generalisability of the findings. While the primary aim of this study was to assess feasibility rather than to eval- uate sex-related differences, this limitation should be ac- knowledged. Given emerging evidence on sex-related pain mechanisms, future RCTs should ensure balanced rep- resentation across sexes and incorporate sex-stratified analy- ses to confirm these preliminary observations and better un- derstand differential treatment responses. A full-scale RCT would be a logical next step to determine the comparative effectiveness of HILT against other physiotherapeutic ap- proaches. adverse events further support its favourable safety profile. Nonetheless, larger randomised controlled trials are needed to confirm these preliminary findings and to compare the ef- ficacy of HILT with other therapeutic approaches.

    High-intensity laser therapy and stretching exercises for chronic non-specific neck pain: a feasibility study · 2026 · DOI

  • This study has several limitations. First, the use of snowball sampling may introduce selection bias, as practitioners with an interest in technologies may have been more likely to respond. Second, data were based on self-reported knowl- edge and behaviours, which may be subject to recall bias. Third, although the sample size exceeded the calculated minimum requirement, the findings may not be fully gen- eralisable to all Australian dental practitioners. Finally, the sample size limits the ability to assess causal relationships between education, attitudes, and clinical behaviour. 1 3Lasers in Dental Science (2026) 10:20 20 Page 6 of 7 Future research should explore barriers to PBM adop- tion in greater depth using qualitative methods such as interviews or focus groups. Additional studies could assess whether targeted CPD interventions improve knowledge and increase clinical uptake. Additionally, national guide- lines and standardised clinical protocols for PBM in den- tistry would support safe and consistent implementation. Further economic evaluations may also be useful to deter- mine cost-effectiveness in routine practice.

    Photobiomodulation in clinical practice: knowledge, attitudes and behaviours of Australian dental practitioners · 2026 · DOI

  • The experiments were performed independently in trip- licate; however, they were conducted within the same fibroblast cell line, meaning that the biological model was limited to a single cell source. Consequently, this may affect the generalizability of the obtained results and limit their interpretation in a broader biological context. Furthermore, the in vitro monoculture model does not reflect the complex intercellular interactions involved in the healing process. Therefore, future studies should include both independent biological models and more complex experimental systems, including co-culture models and in vivo studies, to deter- mine whether the selected LLLT parameters produce effects at the tissue and whole-organism levels.

    Optimisation of low-level light therapy (lllt) parameters and evaluation of its immunomodulatory effect on fibroblasts · 2026 · DOI

  • Multi-center research should standardize PBM techniques for specific stem cell applications; the WALT 2025 recommendations provide a good starting point [8]. The significance of endogenous UPE in stem cell communication requires further investigation, especially as new ultrasensitive photon detection methods become widely available [35]. Combination studies, which examine PBM and PEMF when administered sequentially or concurrently, may indicate additive or potentiating effects. Prospective clinical trials utilizing electromagnetic environmental optimization in addition to traditional stem cell methods are required to close the translation gap Fig. 4. The burgeoning topic of quantum biology has added more theoretical frameworks [3]. If biophotonic coherence regulates cellular activity, external influences affecting photon emission and absorption patterns may significantly impact cellular behavior. This concept remains hypothetical; however, it is becoming more testable with modern technologies. Figure 4: Translational framework for electromagnetic and photonic approaches to stem cell treatment. The development process moves from laboratory investigation to preclinical safety and efficacy testing, followed by clinical evaluation for regenerative therapeutic uses.

    Biophotonic and Electromagnetic Modulation of Stem Cell Behavior: Emerging Evidence for Environmental Optimization in Regenerative Medicine · 2026 · DOI

  • Since the characteristic of chronic non-specific lumbar dysfunction presents a high prevalence and morbidity, and that there are still conflicting results with the use of photobiomodulation, the aim of this study was to analyze the effect of photobiomodulation application in patients with chronic non-specific lombalgy.

    Photobiomodulation with cluster does not present superior results to placebo in young people with chronic non-specific lumbar pain · 2020 · DOI

  • The increase in CK activity using the high-powered continuous laser/light compared with placebo warrants further research to investigate its effect on other factors related to muscle damage.

    Phototherapy for Improvement of Performance and Exercise Recovery: Comparison of 3 Commercially Available Devices · 2017 · DOI

  • The lack of definitive evidence for the relevance of manipulation of these parameters to biological and clinical effects, combined with conflicting results from previous studies has led to uncertainties regarding the scientific rationale for the clinical application of laser technologies in physiotherapy.

    Application of low level laser technologies for pain relief and wound healing: overview of scientific bases · 2010 · DOI

  • CONCLUSIONS: Within the limitations of this study, the results indicated that LLLT may enhance epithelization and improve wound healing after gingivectomy and gingivoplasty operations.

    Improved wound healing by low‐level laser irradiation after gingivectomy operations: a controlled clinical pilot study · 2008 · DOI

  • These findings indicate that diode lasers have potential as an alternative antimicrobial modality in periodontal therapy and warrant further investigation through in vivo and clinical studies.

    IN VITRO ANTIBACTERIAL EFFECT OF DIODE LASER ON Porphyromonas gingivalis ASSOCIATED WITH PERIODONTITIS · 2026 · DOI

  • This indicates that the efficacy of photobiomodulation is not limited by the initial scar condition or disability, supporting its broad clinical applicability.

    Photobiomodulation promotes wound healing and functional improvement following lumbar decompression surgery: a double-blinded, placebo-controlled study · 2026 · DOI

  • While light exposure has been extensively studied in the context of acute retinal injury, few studies have examined the cumulative effects of extended light exposure, especially in occupational settings like dentistry.

    Chronic dental lighting disrupts blood-retinal barrier homeostasis via vascular and inflammatory pathways · 2026 · DOI

  • 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.

    Photobiomodulation at Acupuncture Points in Oral and Dental Care: An Umbrella Review of Systematic Reviews · 2026 · DOI

  • Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, the findings suggested that laser treatment was slightly superior to bur treatment for managing gingival pigmentation.

    Management of Physiological Gingival Pigmentation Using Two Treatment Modalities: Clinical and Patient-Reported Outcomes · 2025 · DOI

  • Conclusion: Within the limitations of this study, it can be concluded that using an irrigation system causes less collateral damage while maintaining the incising efficiency of the diode laser.

    Comparative evaluation of thermal impact of 980nm diode laser on soft tissue using irrigation and non-irrigation systems: A histomorphometric study · 2024 · DOI

  • Conclusions: The lack of a standardized irradiation protocol makes it hard to compare conflicting results, even in cases where the laser have the same technical specifications.

    Clinical and experimental knowledge of photobiomodulation in accelerated orthodontics: a review · 2020 · DOI

  • Overall, it appears that photoacoustic imaging is likely safe when lower frequency lasers are used, and the implementation of the cooling method seems to mitigate necrosis when the use of a higher frequency laser is warranted.

    Is photoacoustic imaging clinically safe: evaluation of possible thermal damage due to laser-tissue interaction · 2020

  • Most published articles have highlighted several positive effects of low-level laser therapy on tissues; however, to our knowledge, no studies have investigated the depth to which a light beam penetrates cell layers of an irradiated tissue.

    Absorption Capability of a 645-nm Diode Laser on Swine Soft Tissue Samples: a Preliminary Study in an Ex-Vivo Model Tissue Samples: a Preliminary Study in an Ex-Vivo Mo · 2019 · DOI

  • Conclusion: When restoring a deep cavity with regular RBCs, each increment needs to be cured adequately, since final curing to compensate for deficits in polymerisation is insufficient.

    Light transmission through resin composites · 2018 · DOI

  • Manufacturers of high-powered lasers/light devices claim that these can produce the same clinical benefits with increased power and decreased irradiation time; however, research with high-powered lasers is lacking.

    Phototherapy for Improvement of Performance and Exercise Recovery: Comparison of 3 Commercially Available Devices · 2017 · DOI

  • CONTEXT: Skeletal muscle fatigue and exercise performance are novel areas of research and clinical application in the photobiomodulation field, and positive outcomes have been reported in several studies; however, the optimal measures have not been fully established.

    Using Pre-Exercise Photobiomodulation Therapy Combining Super-Pulsed Lasers and Light-Emitting Diodes to Improve Performance in Progressive Cardiopulmonary Exercise Tests · 2016 · DOI

  • CONCLUSION: Within the limitations of this study, the synergic phototoxic effect of visible light in combination with each of the photosensitizers on P.

    Synergic phototoxic effect of visible light or Gallium-Arsenide laser in the presence of different photo-sensitizers on Porphyromonas gingivalis and Fusobacterium nucleatum · 2015 · DOI

  • Results of the research suggest continuation of further research on the effectiveness of the above-mentioned therapy and the length of preserving analgesic results in people with degenerative diseases…

    Evaluation of analgesic effectiveness of infrared radiation and interference currents in degenerative diseases · 2014 · DOI

  • Although several in vivo studies have shown that laser phototherapy influences tissue repair, a fully understanding of angiogenesis mechanisms are not yet known.

    Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy (660 nm) on Angiogenesis in Wound Healing: A Immunohistochemical Study in a Rodent Model · 2013 · DOI

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55 open questions have been extracted from the limitations and future-work passages of 877 Laser Applications in Dentistry and Medicine papers in our library. Each one below links back to the study that raised it, so you can read the original claim in context.

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