Pain reduced by low-level laser therapy during use of orthodontic separators in early mixed dentition.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this work was to investigate whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied at a defined distance from the gingiva has a pain-reducing effect in young patients undergoing orthodontic separation during the early mixed-dentition stage.


METHODS
A total of 40 children in early mixed dentition (mean age 8.05 years) who required separation of molars were included. The study comprised a group of 20 patients whose treatment included laser application on the day of separation and a control group of 20 patients not receiving LLLT. All patients recorded their maximum pain intensities on the day of separation (day 1) and on the following 4 days.


RESULTS
Compared to the control group, pain perception was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the LLLT group on day 1 and continued to be reduced on day 2. Equivalent pain levels were recorded in both groups on days 3-5.


CONCLUSIONS
Given our findings of a pain-reducing effect in young patients undergoing orthodontic separation during the early mixed-dentition stage, LLLT is an interesting alternative option of providing analgesia even in very young patients.
Department of Orthodontics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Steffen
S
Stein
Department of Orthodontics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany.
Heike
H
Korbmacher-Steiner
Orthodontic Practice, Bad Soden am Taunus, Germany.
Nenad
N
Popovic
Department of Operative Dentistry, Philipps University Marburg, Georg-Voigt-Str. 3, 35039, Marburg, Germany. andreas.braun@staff.uni-marburg.de.
Andrea
A
Braun
D002648:Child; D003818:Dentition, Mixed; D005157:Facial Pain / Q000209:etiology* / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000009:adverse effects*; D059408:Pain Management / Q000379:methods; D010147:Pain Measurement; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000295:instrumentation; D016896:Treatment Outcome
Children; Low-level laser therapy; Orthodontics; Pain; Separation