Effect of a double dose of photobiomodulation therapy on orthodontic pain caused by elastomeric separators
Marina Simunovic Anicic, Vjera Perkovic, Dragana Gabric, Vlatka Lajnert, Senka Mestrovic
Abstract
Background
It has been reported that 90 per cent of patients experience pain during orthodontic treatment. Laser photobiomodulation (PBM) is the application of light to pathology to encourage tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation and is wieldy used for pain relief.
Aims
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of PBM in decreasing pain caused by elastomeric separators at the beginning of the orthodontic treatment.
Methods
Twenty-two patients were recruited to participate in this single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Four elastomeric separators were placed mesially and distally to the upper first molar on each side. The right side of the upper jaw was treated with a low-power diode laser, and the left side was given a placebo (the same treatment with the laser switched off). Two doses of PBM therapy (660nm, 90mW) were delivered 24 hours apart. The participants filled out a questionnaire immediately after the placement of the separators, before the 1st laser treatment (TO) and 12 hours (T1), 24 hours (T2), two days (T3) and three days after the 1st treatment (T4). At each evaluation period, the degree of pain was scored twice, once for each side.
Results
Both sides perceived greater pain at 12 hours and maximum pain at 24 hours. Pain decreased on day 3 on both sides. A significant reduction in pain (p=0.01) was detected at 24 hours on the laser-treated side compared to the placebo side. No other significant difference between sides was observed.
Conclusion
Based on this study, we can conclude that PBM therapy significantly reduces pain 24 hours after separator placement, when the pain is at its peak. However, it does not affect the pain at other time intervals. These findings suggest promising effectiveness of PBM therapy.
Full Text:
It has been reported that 90 per cent of patients experience pain during orthodontic treatment. Laser photobiomodulation (PBM) is the application of light to pathology to encourage tissue regeneration, decrease inflammation and is wieldy used for pain relief.
Aims
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the efficiency of PBM in decreasing pain caused by elastomeric separators at the beginning of the orthodontic treatment.
Methods
Twenty-two patients were recruited to participate in this single-blinded, placebo-controlled study. Four elastomeric separators were placed mesially and distally to the upper first molar on each side. The right side of the upper jaw was treated with a low-power diode laser, and the left side was given a placebo (the same treatment with the laser switched off). Two doses of PBM therapy (660nm, 90mW) were delivered 24 hours apart. The participants filled out a questionnaire immediately after the placement of the separators, before the 1st laser treatment (TO) and 12 hours (T1), 24 hours (T2), two days (T3) and three days after the 1st treatment (T4). At each evaluation period, the degree of pain was scored twice, once for each side.
Results
Both sides perceived greater pain at 12 hours and maximum pain at 24 hours. Pain decreased on day 3 on both sides. A significant reduction in pain (p=0.01) was detected at 24 hours on the laser-treated side compared to the placebo side. No other significant difference between sides was observed.
Conclusion
Based on this study, we can conclude that PBM therapy significantly reduces pain 24 hours after separator placement, when the pain is at its peak. However, it does not affect the pain at other time intervals. These findings suggest promising effectiveness of PBM therapy.
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