Effect of low-level laser therapy on tooth-related pain and somatosensory function evoked by orthodontic treatment

Song Wu, Yinan Chen, Jinglu Zhang, Wenjing Chen, Sheng Shao, Huijie Shen, Ling Zhu, Ping Ye, Peter Svensson, Kelun Wang, Song Wu, Yinan Chen, Jinglu Zhang, Wenjing Chen, Sheng Shao, Huijie Shen, Ling Zhu, Ping Ye, Peter Svensson, Kelun Wang

Abstract

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) may have an effect on the pain associated with orthodontic treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of LLLT on pain and somatosensory sensitization induced by orthodontic treatment. Forty individuals (12-33 years old; mean ± standard deviations: 20.8 ± 5.9 years) scheduled to receive orthodontic treatment were randomly divided into a laser group (LG) or a placebo group (PG) (1:1). The LG received LLLT (810-nm gallium-aluminium-arsenic diode laser in continuous mode with the power set at 400 mW, 2 J·cm-2) at 0 h, 2 h, 24 h, 4 d, and 7 d after treatment, and the PG received inactive treatment at the same time points. In both groups, the non-treated side served as a control. A numerical rating scale (NRS) of pain, pressure pain thresholds (PPTs), cold detection thresholds (CDTs), warmth detection thresholds (WDTs), cold pain thresholds (CPTs), and heat pain thresholds (HPTs) were tested on both sides at the gingiva and canine tooth and on the hand. The data were analysed by a repeated measures analysis of variance (ANOVA). The NRS pain scores were significantly lower in the LG group (P = 0.01). The CDTs, CPTs, WDTs, HPTs, and PPTs at the gingiva and the PPTs at the canine tooth were significantly less sensitive on the treatment side of the LG compared with that of the PG (P < 0.033). The parameters tested also showed significantly less sensitivity on the non-treatment side of the LG compared to that of the PG (P < 0.043). There were no differences between the groups for any quantitative sensory testing (QST) measures of the hand. The application of LLLT appears to reduce the pain and sensitivity of the tooth and gingiva associated with orthodontic treatment and may have contralateral effects within the trigeminal system but no generalized QST effects. Thus, the present study indicated a significant analgesia effect of LLLT application during orthodontic treatment. Further clinical applications are suggested.

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Flow diagram illustrating the study protocol and recruitment of the participants. Tx: treatment side. The variables measured were the NRS score, PPT, CDT, WDT, CPT, and HPT
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Pain intensities reported on the 0–10 NRS at 0 h, 2 h, 24 h, 4 d, and 7 d in the laser group (LG, n = 20) and placebo group (PG, n = 20). The data are presented as the mean + standard error of the mean. *indicates a significant difference between the groups (P < 0.05)
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
PPTs at a the canine tooth and b gingiva at 0 h, 2 h, 24 h, 4 d, and 7 d in the laser group (LG, n = 20) and placebo group (PG, n = 20). The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Black circles represent LG- treatment side; white circles represent LG- non-treatment side; black triangles represent PG- treatment side; white triangles represent PG- non-treatment side. *Indicates a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the treatment groups; #indicates a significant difference between the treatment side and non-treatment side
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
Relative changes for CDT, WDT, CPT, and HPT of the participants. a CDT, b WDT, c CPT, and d HPT at 0 h, 2 h, 24 h, 4 d, and 7 d in the laser group (LG, n = 20) and placebo group (PG, n = 20). The data are presented as the mean ± standard error of the mean. Black circles represent LG- treatment side; white circles represent LG- non-treatment side; black triangles represent PG- treatment side; white triangles represent PG- non-treatment side. *indicates a significant difference (P < 0.05) between the groups; #indicates a significant difference between the treatment side and non-treatment side

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