Efficacy of Lasers for Postoperative Pain in RCT

Root canal treatment (RCT) is essential for addressing infected or damaged dental pulp by removing the pulp, cleaning, shaping, and sealing the canal to prevent further infection. Postoperative pain remains a common concern, typically due to residual infection, inflammation, or tissue irritation.

A comprehensive review and meta-analysis were conducted to evaluate the efficacy of laser-based modalities for managing postoperative pain following primary and secondary RCTs, compared to conventional methods.

Laser Therapy Modalities

Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT)
Showed slight pain reduction, particularly effective within the first 8 hours but reduced efficacy over time, especially in retreatment cases.
Photobiomodulation (PBM)
Showed potential for reducing inflammation and promoting healing, resulting in mild pain relief during the initial hours post-treatment.
Like LLLT, PBM's effectiveness also decreased over longer durations.
Photodynamic Therapy (PDT)
Marginally more effective than conventional methods and placebo between 24-30 hours post-procedure, attributed to its bacterial load reduction and inflammation control through reactive oxygen species.
Laser Disinfection using Diode/Nd Lasers
Provided significant immediate pain relief post-treatment by reducing microbial load, though this effect was temporary.
Er Laser
Effective for activating irrigation solutions, reducing complications related to liquid extrusion, and achieving substantial bacterial elimination.

Clinical Efficacy
•	Short-Term Relief: Laser therapies outperform conventional methods and placebo in reducing immediate postoperative pain.
•	Long-Term Outcomes: Benefits are less pronounced over extended periods, especially in retreatments.
•	Anatomical Factors: Maxillary anterior teeth benefit more, likely due to anatomical and physiological factors like vascularization and bone structure.

Conclusion:

Laser-based treatments, particularly PDT and PBM, show promise as adjunctive methods for reducing postoperative pain in endodontics. While they offer benefits over conventional methods in specific periods, more standardized research is necessary to optimize their use for sustained pain management.

GGI-CO-A1-AQS-300023454-APPEMC-L24-0152
For the use of a Registered Medical Practitioner, Hospital or Laboratory only.
Reference:
Elmsmari F, Shujaie H, Alzaabi R, et al. Lasers efficacy in pain management after primary and secondary endodontic treatment: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials. Sci Rep. 2024;14(1):26028. Published 2024 Oct 29. doi:10.1038/s41598-024-74998-x Click here to view the original article

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Efficacy of Lasers for Postoperative Pain in RCT

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