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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2013 Jul;83(4):611-6.
doi: 10.2319/082012-665.1. Epub 2012 Dec 14.

Effect of frequent laser irradiation on orthodontic pain. A single-blind randomized clinical trial

Won Tae Kim  1 , Mohamed Bayome, Jun-Beom Park, Jae Hyun Park, Seung-Hak Baek, Yoon-Ah Kook
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of frequent laser irradiation on orthodontic pain. A single-blind randomized clinical trial

Won Tae Kim et al. Angle Orthod. 2013 Jul.

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on perception of pain after separator placement and compare it with perceptions of control and placebo groups using a frequent irradiation protocol.

Materials and methods: Eighty-eight patients were randomly allocated to a laser group, a light-emitting diode (LED) placebo group, or a control group. Elastomeric separators were placed on the first molars. In the laser and LED groups, first molars were irradiated for 30 seconds every 12 hours for 1 week using a portable device. Pain was marked on a visual analog scale at predetermined intervals. Repeated measure analysis of variance was performed for statistical analysis.

Results: The pain scores of the laser group were significantly lower than those of the control group up to 1 day. The pain scores in the LED group were not significantly different from those of the laser group during the first 6 hours. After that point, the pain scores of the LED group were not significantly different from those of the control.

Conclusions: Frequent LLLT decreased the perception of pain to a nonsignificant level throughout the week after separator placement, compared with pain perception in the placebo and control groups. Therefore, LLLT might be an effective method of reducing orthodontic pain.

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Figures

Figure 1.
Figure 1.
A compact, battery-operated, handheld AlGaInP laser device for home use. (A) Disassembled. (B) Activated.
Figure 2.
Figure 2.
Comparison of mean pain scores on the VAS among the laser, LED, and control groups over time.
Figure 3.
Figure 3.
Comparison of mean pain scores on the VAS between male and female subjects over time.
Figure 4.
Figure 4.
Comparison of mean pain scores on the VAS among laser, LED, and control groups over time according to gender. (A) Male subjects. (B) Female subjects.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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