Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Meta-Analysis
. 2024 Apr;74(2):335-342.
doi: 10.1016/j.identj.2023.10.012. Epub 2023 Nov 18.

Effect of Laser Therapy on Postoperative Pain and Endodontic Retreatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sai Vakul Toopalle  1 , Indu Yadav  2 , Alpa Gupta  3 , Nishant Chauhan  3 , Dax Abraham  3 , Arundeep Singh  3 , Mrinalini  3 , Mudit Sharma  3 , Serena Lalfakwami  3
Affiliations
Meta-Analysis

Effect of Laser Therapy on Postoperative Pain and Endodontic Retreatment: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Sai Vakul Toopalle et al. Int Dent J. 2024 Apr.

Abstract

Background: Root canal re-treatment (RCR) cases are considered some of the most challenging cases in the field of endodontics, as they are mostly associated with various iatrogenic errors such as ledge formation, incomplete biomechanical preparation, file separation, and incomplete obturation. These iatrogenic errors lead to defective niches within root canals that may act as reservoirs for various viable microorganisms. Such residual microbial niches may cause postoperative pain even after thorough debridement and reshaping the canals, ultimately leading to a poor prognosis for the tooth. Nowadays, prevention of postoperative pain in re-treatment cases and prognosis are effectively managed by photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT).

Method: Relevant studies in the English language published before November 2022 were identified using electronic databases like PubMed, SCOPUS, and EBSCO to conduct bibliographic research. This systematic review is based on 3 studies that were found eligible as per the inclusion and exclusion criteria. This systematic review is in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.

Results: The systematic review indicated a positive impact by significantly decreasing postoperative pain in RCR cases when treated with PBMT. The variation was statistically significant at 24 hours (P = .0002), 48 hours (P = .03), and 72 hours (P = .02). The mean difference at 24 hours was 0.65 (95% CI, 0.32-0.99), at 48 hours was 0.46 (95% CI, 0.05-0.87), and at 72 hours was 0.40 (95% CI, 0.07-0.74). There was no statistical heterogenicity at 24 hours (P > .05), but a medium heterogenicity was observed at 48 hours and 72 hours.

Practical implication: PBMT or low-level laser therapy has shown superior results as compared to the conventional pharmacologic approach in postoperative pain management in RCR cases.

Keywords: Low-level laser therapy; Photobiomodulation therapy; Postoperative pain; Root canal re-treatment.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

Conflict of interest None disclosed.

Figures

Fig 1
Fig. 1
PRISMA flowchart depicting the workflow of the review.
Fig 2
Fig. 2
Forest plot of post operative pain after 24, 48, and 72 hours.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

Cited by

References

    1. Sathorn C, Parashos P, Messer H. The prevalence of postoperative pain and flare-up in single- and multiple-visit endodontic treatment: a systematic review. Int Endod J. 2007 doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2591.2007.01316.x. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Pasqualini D, Mollo L, Scotti N, et al. Postoperative pain after manual and mechanical glide path: a randomized clinical trial. J Endod. 2012;38(1):32–36. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2011.09.01. Erratum in: J Endod 2012;38(3):356. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Maiman TH. Stimulated optical radiation in ruby. Nature. 1960;187(4736):493–494. doi: 10.1038/187493a0. - DOI
    1. Asnaashari M, Ashraf H, Daghayeghi AH, Mojahedi SM, Azari-Marhabi S. Management of post endodontic retreatment pain with low level laser therapy. J Lasers Med Sci. 2017;8(3):128–131. doi: 10.15171/jlms.2017.23. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Arslan H, Güven Y, Karataş E, Doğanay E. Effect of the simultaneous working length control during root canal preparation on post-operative pain. J Endodont. 2017;43(9):1422–1427. doi: 10.1016/j.joen.2017.04.028. - DOI - PubMed