Photobiomodulation in the Management of Oral Complications Induced by Radiotherapy: An Integrative Review.
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.36557/2674-8169.2026v8n7p229-245Palavras-chave:
Photobiomodulation; Laser Therapy; Oral mucositis; Xerostomia,; Osteoradionecrosis; Radiotherapy Adjuvant; Head and neck cancer.Resumo
Radiotherapy is widely used in the treatment of head and neck cancers but often causes oral complications such as mucositis, xerostomia, and osteoradionecrosis, which impair quality of life and treatment adherence. Photobiomodulation (PBM), also known as low-level laser therapy, has emerged as a non-invasive alternative for the prevention and management of these lesions. This integrative review analyzed 20 studies published between 2015 and 2025 in PubMed and SciELO, including randomized clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. Findings demonstrate that PBM reduces mucositis severity, accelerates healing, and provides analgesia, proving effective in both preventive and therapeutic protocols. In xerostomia, partial improvement of salivary function and reduction of dry mouth sensation were observed, while in osteoradionecrosis PBM showed adjuvant potential in angiogenesis and bone regeneration. Despite its proven efficacy, heterogeneity in application parameters and limited sample diversity hinder clinical standardization. In conclusion, PBM is a safe and promising intervention that should be integrated into supportive oncology protocols, with future research needed to establish standardized guidelines and personalized therapeutic approaches.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Fernando Martins Baeder, Paola Fernanda Leal Corazza, Ana Elisa Mariz Dantas, Helga Bezerra Dantas, Michele Coelho Ferreira, Edson de Figueiredo Lima Neto, José Cássio de Almeida Magalhaes, Andreia Medeiros Rodrigues Cardoso, Daniel Furtado Silva, Ana Carolina Lyra de Albuquerque, Kézia Rafaely Bravos Pancieri, Vinícius Belém Rodrigues Barros Soares
Este trabalho está licenciado sob uma licença Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Os autores são detentores dos direitos autorais mediante uma licença CCBY 4.0.
