Photobiomodulation Therapy for Facial Nerve Repair: Systematic Review
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Abstract
Introduction: Microsurgery interventions for direct nerve repair often lead to serious complications and limited success. Non-surgical methods, although somewhat effective, have limited benefits. Photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) has emerged as a promising approach based on clinical and laboratory studies. The photobiomodulation may accelerate and improve nerve regeneration. This review explores various methodologies used in photobiomodulation for regenerating nerve sensitivity after surgical trauma involving nerve structures in the oral and perioral region. Materials and Methods: Articles available in PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, and Google Scholar databases with similar topics over the 20-year period from 2005 to 2025 were selected and reviewed based on inclusion and exclusion criteria. Articles were retrieved by searching for the keywords photobiomodulation, facial nerves and facial nerve injury. Results: Seven studies related to Photobiomodulation treatment with 810 nm diode laser on facial nerves were selected and reviewed. Of the seven studies reviewed, 2 in 2022, 1 in 2021, 3 in 2017, and 1 in 2014.Conclusion: Light modulation at 810 nm has a significant, rapid effect on improving visual analog scale (VAS) scores for general sensory perception and thermal discrimination. Notably, the use of photobiomodulation shows the possibility of accelerating the recovery of these sensory functions. Keywords: Photobiomodulation therapy; Low-level laser light therapy; Complication; Trauma; Facial nerve injuries.
1. Dehghani N, Azarsina M, Mahmoudi X, Hassantash S. Efficacy of Combination and Single Therapy in Bell’s Palsy: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. World Journal of Plastic Surgery. 2025;14(2):3.
2. Coulthard P, Kushnerev E, Yates JM, Walsh T, Patel N, Bailey E, Renton TF. Interventions for iatrogenic inferior alveolar and lingual nerve injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;4:CD005293.
3. Weyh A, Pucci R, Valentini V, Fernandes R, Salman S. Injuries of the Peripheral Mandibular Nerve, Evaluation of Interventions and Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2021;14:337–348.
4. Azarsina M, Arany P, Marques MM, Abrahamse H, Dehghani N, Azarsina S, Fekrazad R. Photobiomodulation for stem cell modulation and regenerative medicine-WALT position paper 2025. Journal of Dentistry. 2025 Aug 1;159:105832.
5. Wang Y, Huang YY, Wang Y, Lyu P, Hamblin MR. Red (660 nm) or near-infrared (810 nm) photobiomodulation stimulates, while blue (415 nm), green (540 nm) light inhibits proliferation in human adipose-derived stem cells. Sci Rep. 2017;7:7781.
6. Sommer AP. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase is not the primary acceptor for near infrared light—it is mitochondrial bound water: The principles of low-level light therapy. Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(Suppl 1):S13.
7. Salari B, Nikparto N, Babaei A, Fekrazad R. Effect of delayed photobiomodulation therapy on neurosensory recovery in patients with mandibular nerve neurotmesis following traumatic mandibular fracture: A randomized triple-blinded clinical trial. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2022;232:112460.
8. Er-Rouassi H, Benichou L, Lyoussi B, Vidal C. Efficacy of LED photobiomodulation for functional and axonal regeneration after facial nerve section-suture. Front Neurol. 2022;13:827218.
9. Bashiri S, Malekzadeh H, Fekrazad R. The effect of delayed photobiomodulation on neurosensory disturbance recovery after zygomatic trauma: A parallel controlled clinical trial. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2021;217:112153.
10. Eshghpour M, Shaban B, Ahrari F, Erfanian M, Shadkam E. Is Low-Level Laser Therapy Effective for Treatment of Neurosensory Deficits Arising From Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy? J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;75:2085–2090.
11. Mohajerani SH, Tabeie F, Bemanali M, Tabrizi R. Effect of Low-Level Laser and Light-Emitting Diode on Inferior Alveolar Nerve Recovery After Sagittal Split Osteotomy of the Mandible: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study. J Craniofac Surg. 2017;28:e408–e411.
12. Buchaim DV, Andreo JC, Ferreira Junior RS, Barraviera B, Rodrigues AD, Macedo MD, Rosa Junior GM, Shinohara AL, Santos German IJ, Pomini KT, Buchaim RL. Efficacy of laser photobiomodulation on morphological and functional repair of the facial nerve. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017;35:442-449.
13. Führer-Valdivia A, Noguera-Pantoja A, Ramírez-Lobos V, Solé-Ventura P. Low-level laser effect in patients with neurosensory impairment of mandibular nerve after sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Randomized clinical trial, controlled by placebo. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2014;19:e327–e334.
14. Hakimiha N, Dehghan MM, Manaheji H, Zaringhalam J, Farzad-Mohajeri S, Fekrazad R, Moslemi N. Recovery of inferior alveolar nerve by photobiomodulation therapy using two laser wavelengths: A behavioral and immunological study in rat. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2020;204:111785.
15. El Mobadder M, Nammour S, Ortega M, Grzech-Leśniak K. Photobiomodulation Therapy Applied after 6 Months for the Management of a Severe Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury. Life. 2021;11:1420.
16. Muniz XC, de Assis ACC, de Oliveira BSA, Ferreira LFR, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN, Soriano RN. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in nerve injury repair—a new era in therapeutic agents and regenerative treatments. Neurol Sci. 2021;42:4029–4043.
17. Hakimiha N, Bassir SH, Romanos GE, Shamshiri AR, Moslemi N. Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy on neurosensory recovery in patients with inferior alveolar nerve injury following oral surgical procedures: A systematic review. Quintessence Int. 2021;52:140–153.
18. da Silva TG, Ribeiro RS, Mencalha AL, Fonseca AdS. Photobiomodulation at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. Lasers Med Sci. 2023;38:136.
19. Stevens MR, Ghasemi S, Tabrizi R, editors. Innovative perspectives in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Springer Nature; 2021 Jul 30.
20. Dompe C, Moncrieff L, Matys J, Grzech-Leśniak K, Kocherova I, Bryja A, Bruska M, Dominiak M, Mozdziak P, Skiba THI, et al. Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications. J Clin Med. 2020;9:1724.
21. Shoman A, Hassan A, Kassab A. A Study on the Effect of 850 nm Low-Level Diode Laser versus Electrical Stimulation in Facial Nerve Regeneration for Patients with Bell’s Palsy. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2022;84:370–377.
22. De Oliveira RF, de Andrade Salgado DM, Trevelin LT, Lopes RM, da Cunha SR, Aranha AC, de Paula Eduardo C, de Freitas PM. Benefits of laser phototherapy on nerve repair. Lasers Med Sci. 2015;30:1395–1406.
23. Jafarian M, Dehghani N, Shams S, Esmaeelinejad M, Aghdashi F. Comprehensive treatment of upper lip arteriovenous malformation. Journal of maxillofacial and oral surgery. 2016 Sep;15(3):394-9.
24. Anders JJ, Moges H, Wu X, Erbele ID, Alberico SL, Saidu EK, Smith JT, Pryor BA. In vitro and in vivo optimization of infrared laser treatment for injured peripheral nerves. Lasers Surg Med. 2014;46:34–45.
25. Mohammed IF, Al-Mustawfi N, Kaka LN. Promotion of regenerative processes in injured peripheral nerve induced by low-level laser therapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2007;25:107–111.
26. Kermani H, Dehghani N, Aghdashi F, Esmaeelinejad M. Nonsyndromic isolated temporal bone styloid process fracture. Trauma Monthly. 2016 Feb 6;21(1):e24395.
27. von Leden RE, Cooney SJ, Ferrara TM, Zhao Y, Dalgard CL, Anders JJ, Byrnes KR. 808 nm wavelength light induces a dose-dependent alteration in microglial polarization and resultant microglial induced neurite growth. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45:253–263.
28. Alayat MSM, Basalamah MA, Elbarrany WGEA, El Sawy NAM, Abdel-Kafy EM. Efficacy of multi-wave locked system laser therapy on nerve regeneration after crushing in Wister rats. J Phys Ther Sci. 2021;33:549–553.
29. Alayat MSM, Basalamah MA, Elbarrany WGEA, El-Sawy NAM, Abdel-Kafy EM, El-Fiky AA. Dose-dependent effect of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of crushed sciatic nerve in Wister rats: An experimental model. Lasers Med Sci. 2020;35:1989–1998.
30. Fernandes-Neto JA, Simões TM, Batista AL, Lacerda-Santos JT, Palmeira PS, Catão MV. Laser therapy as treatment for oral paresthesia arising from mandibular third molar extraction. J Clin Exp Dent. 2020;12:e603–e606.
31. Ostadkhalil F, Dehghani N, Yousefbeigi A, Azarsina M, Hakimiha N. Does 810-nm Diode Laser Photobiomodulation Improve Sensory Recovery After Le Fort I Surgery? J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2026 Apr;84(4):501-508.
2. Coulthard P, Kushnerev E, Yates JM, Walsh T, Patel N, Bailey E, Renton TF. Interventions for iatrogenic inferior alveolar and lingual nerve injury. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2014;4:CD005293.
3. Weyh A, Pucci R, Valentini V, Fernandes R, Salman S. Injuries of the Peripheral Mandibular Nerve, Evaluation of Interventions and Outcomes: A Systematic Review. Craniomaxillofac Trauma Reconstr. 2021;14:337–348.
4. Azarsina M, Arany P, Marques MM, Abrahamse H, Dehghani N, Azarsina S, Fekrazad R. Photobiomodulation for stem cell modulation and regenerative medicine-WALT position paper 2025. Journal of Dentistry. 2025 Aug 1;159:105832.
5. Wang Y, Huang YY, Wang Y, Lyu P, Hamblin MR. Red (660 nm) or near-infrared (810 nm) photobiomodulation stimulates, while blue (415 nm), green (540 nm) light inhibits proliferation in human adipose-derived stem cells. Sci Rep. 2017;7:7781.
6. Sommer AP. Mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase is not the primary acceptor for near infrared light—it is mitochondrial bound water: The principles of low-level light therapy. Ann Transl Med. 2019;7(Suppl 1):S13.
7. Salari B, Nikparto N, Babaei A, Fekrazad R. Effect of delayed photobiomodulation therapy on neurosensory recovery in patients with mandibular nerve neurotmesis following traumatic mandibular fracture: A randomized triple-blinded clinical trial. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2022;232:112460.
8. Er-Rouassi H, Benichou L, Lyoussi B, Vidal C. Efficacy of LED photobiomodulation for functional and axonal regeneration after facial nerve section-suture. Front Neurol. 2022;13:827218.
9. Bashiri S, Malekzadeh H, Fekrazad R. The effect of delayed photobiomodulation on neurosensory disturbance recovery after zygomatic trauma: A parallel controlled clinical trial. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2021;217:112153.
10. Eshghpour M, Shaban B, Ahrari F, Erfanian M, Shadkam E. Is Low-Level Laser Therapy Effective for Treatment of Neurosensory Deficits Arising From Sagittal Split Ramus Osteotomy? J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2017;75:2085–2090.
11. Mohajerani SH, Tabeie F, Bemanali M, Tabrizi R. Effect of Low-Level Laser and Light-Emitting Diode on Inferior Alveolar Nerve Recovery After Sagittal Split Osteotomy of the Mandible: A Randomized Clinical Trial Study. J Craniofac Surg. 2017;28:e408–e411.
12. Buchaim DV, Andreo JC, Ferreira Junior RS, Barraviera B, Rodrigues AD, Macedo MD, Rosa Junior GM, Shinohara AL, Santos German IJ, Pomini KT, Buchaim RL. Efficacy of laser photobiomodulation on morphological and functional repair of the facial nerve. Photomed Laser Surg. 2017;35:442-449.
13. Führer-Valdivia A, Noguera-Pantoja A, Ramírez-Lobos V, Solé-Ventura P. Low-level laser effect in patients with neurosensory impairment of mandibular nerve after sagittal split ramus osteotomy. Randomized clinical trial, controlled by placebo. Med Oral Patol Oral Cir Bucal. 2014;19:e327–e334.
14. Hakimiha N, Dehghan MM, Manaheji H, Zaringhalam J, Farzad-Mohajeri S, Fekrazad R, Moslemi N. Recovery of inferior alveolar nerve by photobiomodulation therapy using two laser wavelengths: A behavioral and immunological study in rat. J Photochem Photobiol B. 2020;204:111785.
15. El Mobadder M, Nammour S, Ortega M, Grzech-Leśniak K. Photobiomodulation Therapy Applied after 6 Months for the Management of a Severe Inferior Alveolar Nerve Injury. Life. 2021;11:1420.
16. Muniz XC, de Assis ACC, de Oliveira BSA, Ferreira LFR, Bilal M, Iqbal HMN, Soriano RN. Efficacy of low-level laser therapy in nerve injury repair—a new era in therapeutic agents and regenerative treatments. Neurol Sci. 2021;42:4029–4043.
17. Hakimiha N, Bassir SH, Romanos GE, Shamshiri AR, Moslemi N. Efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy on neurosensory recovery in patients with inferior alveolar nerve injury following oral surgical procedures: A systematic review. Quintessence Int. 2021;52:140–153.
18. da Silva TG, Ribeiro RS, Mencalha AL, Fonseca AdS. Photobiomodulation at molecular, cellular, and systemic levels. Lasers Med Sci. 2023;38:136.
19. Stevens MR, Ghasemi S, Tabrizi R, editors. Innovative perspectives in oral and maxillofacial surgery. Springer Nature; 2021 Jul 30.
20. Dompe C, Moncrieff L, Matys J, Grzech-Leśniak K, Kocherova I, Bryja A, Bruska M, Dominiak M, Mozdziak P, Skiba THI, et al. Photobiomodulation-Underlying Mechanism and Clinical Applications. J Clin Med. 2020;9:1724.
21. Shoman A, Hassan A, Kassab A. A Study on the Effect of 850 nm Low-Level Diode Laser versus Electrical Stimulation in Facial Nerve Regeneration for Patients with Bell’s Palsy. ORL J Otorhinolaryngol Relat Spec. 2022;84:370–377.
22. De Oliveira RF, de Andrade Salgado DM, Trevelin LT, Lopes RM, da Cunha SR, Aranha AC, de Paula Eduardo C, de Freitas PM. Benefits of laser phototherapy on nerve repair. Lasers Med Sci. 2015;30:1395–1406.
23. Jafarian M, Dehghani N, Shams S, Esmaeelinejad M, Aghdashi F. Comprehensive treatment of upper lip arteriovenous malformation. Journal of maxillofacial and oral surgery. 2016 Sep;15(3):394-9.
24. Anders JJ, Moges H, Wu X, Erbele ID, Alberico SL, Saidu EK, Smith JT, Pryor BA. In vitro and in vivo optimization of infrared laser treatment for injured peripheral nerves. Lasers Surg Med. 2014;46:34–45.
25. Mohammed IF, Al-Mustawfi N, Kaka LN. Promotion of regenerative processes in injured peripheral nerve induced by low-level laser therapy. Photomed Laser Surg. 2007;25:107–111.
26. Kermani H, Dehghani N, Aghdashi F, Esmaeelinejad M. Nonsyndromic isolated temporal bone styloid process fracture. Trauma Monthly. 2016 Feb 6;21(1):e24395.
27. von Leden RE, Cooney SJ, Ferrara TM, Zhao Y, Dalgard CL, Anders JJ, Byrnes KR. 808 nm wavelength light induces a dose-dependent alteration in microglial polarization and resultant microglial induced neurite growth. Lasers Surg Med. 2013;45:253–263.
28. Alayat MSM, Basalamah MA, Elbarrany WGEA, El Sawy NAM, Abdel-Kafy EM. Efficacy of multi-wave locked system laser therapy on nerve regeneration after crushing in Wister rats. J Phys Ther Sci. 2021;33:549–553.
29. Alayat MSM, Basalamah MA, Elbarrany WGEA, El-Sawy NAM, Abdel-Kafy EM, El-Fiky AA. Dose-dependent effect of the pulsed Nd:YAG laser in the treatment of crushed sciatic nerve in Wister rats: An experimental model. Lasers Med Sci. 2020;35:1989–1998.
30. Fernandes-Neto JA, Simões TM, Batista AL, Lacerda-Santos JT, Palmeira PS, Catão MV. Laser therapy as treatment for oral paresthesia arising from mandibular third molar extraction. J Clin Exp Dent. 2020;12:e603–e606.
31. Ostadkhalil F, Dehghani N, Yousefbeigi A, Azarsina M, Hakimiha N. Does 810-nm Diode Laser Photobiomodulation Improve Sensory Recovery After Le Fort I Surgery? J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2026 Apr;84(4):501-508.
| Files | ||
| Issue | Vol 13, No 1 (Winter 2026) | |
| Section | Review Article(s) | |
| Keywords | ||
| Photobiomodulation therapy; Low-level laser light therapy; Complication; Trauma; Facial nerve injuries. | ||
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How to Cite
1.
Dehghani N, Azarsina M, Firoozi H. Photobiomodulation Therapy for Facial Nerve Repair: Systematic Review. J Craniomaxillofac Res. 2026;13(1):39-45.
