This is a quasi-experimental clinical study evaluating the flow and salivary pH of healthy adults. The study was carried out with 20 adult patients at the Nove de Julho University. This study aimed to compare the action of infrared light on salivary flow and pH, using two application techniques: extraoral (G1) and intra and extraoral (G2), with the application interval between the two techniques being 7 days. The sample consisted of 20 healthy adults, who participated in both groups, thus being the actual control in the evaluations. Stimulated saliva was collected in both groups before and immediately after light application. In G1, a cluster with 3 spots was used, at a wavelength of 808 nanometers, power of 120 mW, with 24J of energy on the extraoral surface, for 67 seconds, in the region of the parotid gland, region of the submandibular and sublingual glands bilaterally, totaling 4 application regions, with total deposited energy of 96 joules. In G2, the laser was applied for 60 seconds, in 2 intraoral and 2 extraoral points in the region of the parotid glands bilaterally, as well as 1 intraoral and 1 extraoral point in the regions of the submandibular and sublingual glands (totaling 16 points), with a central wavelength of 808 nm; continuous operating mode; power of 100mW; with an aperture diameter of 0.354 cm (with spacer); radiant energy of 6J per point, totaling 96 joules of energy.
Changes in salivary parameters, such as decreased flow, changes in pH and composition, can lead to changes in oral health. Saliva is responsible for the homeostasis of the oral cavity and is therefore directly related to the occurrence of caries, periodontitis, fungal and bacterial infections. These situations compromise the quality of life of the population and for this reason prevention and treatment strategies need to be studied and developed. Photobiomodulation is an alternative that has been increasingly practiced by health professionals. It consists of the application of light to a biological system that is capable of inducing a photochemical process, mainly in the mitochondria, thus stimulating the production of energy in the form of adenosine triphosphate (ATP), which can increase cellular metabolism and produce effects. as analgesia and tissue regeneration. In dentistry, studies using photobiomodulation have shown promise in improving some salivary parameters. This study aimed to compare the action of infrared light on salivary flow and pH, using two application techniques: extraoral (G1) and intra and extraoral (G2), with the application interval between the two techniques being 7 days