Clinical effect of low-level laser therapy on pain perception after placement of initial orthodontic archwires

Abstract

Objectives: This study evaluated the clinical effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on pain perception after placement of initial orthodontic archwires. Material and Methods: Forty-eight orthodontic patients were selected and randomly divided according to exposure to LLLT into two equal groups: Group 1 (Control group) Included 24 patients who were not subjected to any laser therapy, and Group 2 (Laser group), Included 24 patients who were subjected to LLLT. Pain perception was investigated for all patients after 6 h, 2nd day, 3rd day, and 7th day through a visual analog scale (VAS) with 0 indicating no pain and 10 indicating intolerable pain. All data were collected, tabulated, and statistically analyzed. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the laser group and the control group. According to VAS readings, the laser group showed lower means of pain scores than the control group . Conclusion: From the present study, the following could be concluded: (1) Diode laser using 940 nm wavelength with the used parameters showed positive results in reducing pain severity in the early stages of orthodontic treatment. (2) LLLT can have better biomodulating outcomes in promoting long-lasting analgesic action during the period of greatest pain sensitivity.