Low-level Laser Therapy to Alleviate Pain of Local Anesthesia Injection in Children: A Randomized Control Trial.

Area of Science:

• Pediatric Dentistry
• Pain Management
• Biophotonics

Background:

• Local anesthesia injections are often a source of significant pain and anxiety for pediatric patients.
• Current methods for pain reduction, such as topical anesthesia, cooling, and vibration, have varying degrees of efficacy.
• Exploring novel, non-pharmacological approaches is crucial for improving patient experience during dental procedures.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate and compare the effectiveness of photobiomodulation (PBM) against topical anesthesia, precooling, and vibration in reducing pain perception during local anesthesia administration in children.
• To assess patient-reported pain, behavioral responses, and physiological indicators of anxiety during the injection procedure.

Main Methods:

• A split-mouth randomized controlled trial involving 120 pediatric patients aged 6-13 years.
• Pain was measured using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) and Wong-Baker Faces Pain Rating Scale.
• Behavioral assessment utilized the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, Consolability (FLACC) scale; pulse rate was monitored.

Main Results:

• Photobiomodulation (PBM) demonstrated significantly lower mean scores for pain, anxiety, and pulse rate compared to topical anesthesia, precooling, and vibration.
• Children reported minimal anxiety and exhibited good compliance when PBM was used.
• The observed differences in pain scores across the methods were statistically significant (p < 0.05).

Conclusions:

• Photobiomodulation (PBM) is a highly effective method for alleviating pain associated with local anesthesia injections in pediatric patients.
• PBM offers superior efficacy compared to traditional pain management techniques like topical anesthesia, precooling, and vibration.
• This drug-free approach provides a safe and effective strategy for managing procedural pain in children, enhancing patient compliance and comfort.