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Pain reduced by low-level laser therapy during use of orthodontic separators in early mixed dentition

Schmerzreduktion bei der Verwendung von kieferorthopädischen Separatoren durch Low-Level-Lasertherapie im frühen Wechselgebiss

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Journal of Orofacial Orthopedics / Fortschritte der Kieferorthopädie Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Objective

The purpose of this work was to investigate whether low-level laser therapy (LLLT) applied at a defined distance from the gingiva has a pain-reducing effect in young patients undergoing orthodontic separation during the early mixed-dentition stage.

Materials and methods

A total of 40 children in early mixed dentition (mean age 8.05 years) who required separation of molars were included. The study comprised a group of 20 patients whose treatment included laser application on the day of separation and a control group of 20 patients not receiving LLLT. All patients recorded their maximum pain intensities on the day of separation (day 1) and on the following 4 days.

Results

Compared to the control group, pain perception was significantly reduced (p < 0.05) in the LLLT group on day 1 and continued to be reduced on day 2. Equivalent pain levels were recorded in both groups on days 3–5.

Conclusion

Given our findings of a pain-reducing effect in young patients undergoing orthodontic separation during the early mixed-dentition stage, LLLT is an interesting alternative option of providing analgesia even in very young patients.

Zusammenfassung

Studienziel

Ziel der vorliegenden Studie war die Untersuchung eines möglichen schmerzreduzierenden Effekts durch die Low-Level-Lasertherapie (LLLT) mit einem definierten Abstand zur Gingiva während der Separation bei jungen Patienten im frühen Wechselgebiss.

Material und Methoden

Die Studie basierte auf einem Kollektiv von insgesamt 40 Patienten (Mittelwert 8,05 Jahre), die sich in der frühen Wechselgebissphase befanden und bei denen eine Separation der Molaren erforderlich war. Die 20 Probanden der Lasergruppe wurden am Tag der Separation mittels Low-Level-Laser behandelt, die Kontrollgruppe (n=20) erhielt keine Laserbehandlung. Alle Patienten dokumentierten den maximal wahrgenommenen Schmerz am Tag der Separation und an den folgenden 4 Tagen.

Ergebnisse

Die Schmerzwahrnehmung in der Lasergruppe konnte im Vergleich zu der in der Kontrollgruppe am ersten Tag statistisch signifikant (p < 0,05) reduziert werden. Erst ab dem dritten Tag war das Schmerzniveau gleich.

Schlussfolgerung

Während der Separation war die schmerzreduzierende Wirkung der Low-Level-Laser-Therapie schon bei jungen Patienten während des frühen Wechselgebisses nachweisbar. Damit stellt sie schon im frühen Alter eine interessante alternative analgetische Behandlungsmöglichkeit dar.

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Compliance with ethical guidelines

Conflict of interest. Steffen Stein, Heike Korbmacher-Steiner, Nenad Popovic, and Andreas Braun state that there are no conflicts of interest.

The accompanying manuscript does not include prospective studies on humans or animals.

Einhaltung ethischer Richtlinien

Interessenkonflikt. Steffen Stein, Heike Korbmacher-Steiner, Nenad Popovic und Andreas Braun geben an, dass kein Interessenkonflikt besteht.

Dieser Beitrag beinhaltet keine prospektiven Studien an Menschen oder Tieren.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthodontics, Philipps University Marburg, Marburg, Germany

    S. Stein & H. Korbmacher-Steiner

  2. Orthodontic Practice, Bad Soden am Taunus, Germany

    N. Popovic

  3. Department of Operative Dentistry, Philipps University Marburg, Georg-Voigt-Str. 3, 35039, Marburg, Germany

    A. Braun

Authors
  1. S. Stein
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  2. H. Korbmacher-Steiner
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  3. N. Popovic
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  4. A. Braun
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to A. Braun.

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Stein, S., Korbmacher-Steiner, H., Popovic, N. et al. Pain reduced by low-level laser therapy during use of orthodontic separators in early mixed dentition. J Orofac Orthop 76, 431–439 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00056-015-0306-4

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