Efficiency of low-level laser therapy in reducing pain induced by orthodontic forces.

Abstract Objective: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on reducing post-adjustment orthodontic pain via evaluation of gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) composition changes at the level of prostaglandin-E2 (PGE2) and visual analogue scale (VAS). Background data: LLLT has been found to be effective in pain relief. PGE2 has the greatest impact on the process of pain signals and can be detected in GCF in order to investigate the response of dental and periodontal tissues in a biochemical manner. Materials and methods: Nineteen patients (11 females and 8 males; mean age 13.9 years) were included in this study. Maxillary first molars were banded and then a randomly selected first molar at one side was irradiated (λ820 nm; continuous wave; output power: 50 mW; focal spot: 0.0314 cm2; exposure duration: 5 sec; power density: 1.59 W/cm2; energy dose: 0.25 J; energy density: 7.96 J/cm2 for each shot), while the molar at the other side was served as placebo control. T...