Treatment of lingual nerve paresthesia through photobiomodulation therapy: a case report employing an approach integrating extraoral and intraoral modalities

Abstract

Aims: Oral nerve injuries are the primary cause of paresthesia in the head and neck regions.

To report the managing of a combined protocol involving extraoral and intraoral photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy for lingual nerve paresthesia.

Case report: A 38-year-old female patient underwent 25 PBM sessions using laser with dual wavelength infrared (810nm + 980 nm). The extraoral application included 6 seconds and 6J per point.  per point, 1W, 4.91 cm², 1.2 J/cm. The intraoral protocol with 0.3W of power, a spot size of 0.38 cm², 15.78 J/cm² of energy density, 6J of energy per point, for 20 seconds.

Results: Assessment of neurosensitivity on the dorsum of the tongue was a 75% improvement. On the lateral tongue improved to 50%. In the floor of the mouth, PBM demonstrated a 25% improvement.

Conclusion: PBM is an important treatment option in the case of lingual nerve paresthesia. The use of PBM should be considered as a feasible, non-invasive treatment approach.