title: Effect of a single dose of low-level laser therapy on spontaneous and chewing pain caused by elastomeric separators.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study was to see the effect of a single dose of low-level laser therapy on spontaneous and chewing pain after the placement of elastomeric separators.
  
  
  METHODS
  Eighty-eight patients were randomly selected for this single-blind study. Elastomeric separators were placed mesial and distal to the permanent first molars in all quadrants. Both arches were divided into experimental and control sides. The experimental sides were treated with low-level laser therapy on 3 points on the buccal mucosa for 20 seconds each, with a 940-nm gallium-aluminum-arsenic diode laser on continuous mode and power set at 200 mW. The other side received placebo laser therapy without turning on the laser. A numeric rating scale was used to assess the intensity of spontaneous and chewing pain for the next 7 days. The independent sample t test and repeated-measures analysis of variance with the post hoc Tukey test was used to analyze the results.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Significant differences were found in spontaneous and chewing pain among both groups (P <0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A single dose of low-level laser therapy can be an efficient modality to reduce the postoperative pain associated with the placement of elastomeric separators.
authors.affiliation: Assistant professor and head, Orthodontic Department, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan. Electronic address: drirfan_andani@yahoo.com.
authors.forename: Irfan
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Qamruddin
authors.affiliation: Senior lecturer, Orthodontic Unit, School of Dental Science, Universiti Sains Malaysia, Kelantan, Malaysia. Electronic address: dralam@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Mohammad Khursheed
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Alam
authors.affiliation: Director, Orthodontics Residency Program, Associate Professor, Section of Dental Surgery, Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Mubassar
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fida
authors.affiliation: Lecturer, Orthodontic Department, Baqai Medical University, Karachi, Pakistan.
authors.forename: Asma Gul
authors.initials: AG
authors.lastname: Khan
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D020724:Elastomers / Q000737:chemistry; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D054023:Lasers, Semiconductor / Q000627:therapeutic use; D028022:Low-Level Light Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D008297:Male; D008409:Mastication / Q000502:physiology*; D008963:Molar / Q000473:pathology; D009061:Mouth Mucosa / Q000528:radiation effects; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances; D010146:Pain / Q000517:prevention & control*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000379:methods; D010919:Placebos; D016037:Single-Blind Method; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D020724:Elastomers; D010919:Placebos