Efeito do laser de baixa intensidade na redução da dor decorrente da separação ortodôntica

Abstract

Orthodontic pain has local characteristics and can be controlled with local analgesics, not being needed a systemic therapy. The Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) has been reported in the literature as an alternative to be used in dentistry for analgesia. The aim of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of laser therapy to prevent, decrease or induce placebo effect on the orthodontic pain caused by elastomeric tooth separation. The sample consisted of orthodontic patients beginning the orthodontic treatment from private clinics and students from Maringá State University (n=79). Elastomeric separators were placed on the 1st upper molars and kept for three days. During this time, the volunteers performed notes on visual analogue scales (VAS) after 6h, 12h, 1 day, 2 days and 3 days to measure the pain intensity. It was evaluated the difference between sides of the same patient (split mouth) with laser applications, placebo applications and control. ANOVA for repeated measures revealed no difference between the sides in four groups at all time points analyzed. When compared laser, placebo and control, there was also no statistically significant difference. It is concluded that use of Low Level Laser Therapy caused neither significant reduction of orthodontic pain nor placebo effect.