Can diode laser 810 nm decrease post endodontic pain in patients with asymptomatic necrotic maxillary incisors? A...

Area of Science:

• Endodontics
• Laser Dentistry
• Pain Management

Background:

• Post-endodontic pain is a common complication following root canal treatment.
• Necrotic teeth with periapical lesions present unique challenges in pain management.
• Optimizing treatment protocols to minimize postoperative discomfort is crucial for patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the efficacy of different diode laser (810 nm) application methods for managing post-endodontic pain.
• To determine the optimal diode laser protocol for single-visit endodontic treatment of necrotic maxillary incisors with periapical lesions.

Main Methods:

• Eighty patients with necrotic incisors and asymptomatic apical periodontitis were randomly assigned to four groups.
• Groups received standardized cleaning/shaping, followed by: no laser (control), laser irrigation activation system (IAS), laser applied to mucosa, or combined IAS and mucosal application.
• Postoperative pain was assessed using the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) at 1, 3, 7, and 14 days.

Main Results:

• A statistically significant difference in VAS scores was observed among the four groups (P < 0.05).
• The control group reported the highest pain scores, while the combined laser application group (IAS + mucosal) showed the lowest scores.
• The combined laser group demonstrated superior pain reduction compared to IAS or mucosal application alone, particularly within the first three days.

Conclusions:

• Diode laser application significantly reduces postoperative pain after endodontic treatment of necrotic teeth with apical lesions.
• Both laser irrigation activation (IAS) and laser low-level therapy (LLLT) via mucosal application are effective in reducing pain compared to no laser.
• The combined application of diode laser as IAS and LLLT represents the most effective protocol for sustained postoperative pain relief.