Low-level laser therapy and laser acupuncture therapy for pain relief after initial archwire placement: A randomized clinical trial

Objective Pain is among the most unpleasant experience during fixed orthodontic therapy. This study compared the effectiveness of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) and laser acupuncture therapy (LAT) in pain reduction after initial archwire placement. Methods This randomized, parallel-group, single-blind clinical trial included 60 female patients who required four premolar extractions to relieve crowding. The subjects were randomly designated into four groups of 15. After placement of the initial orthodontic archwire, patients in group 1 took ibuprofen (400 mg), whereas those in group 2 received LLLT (808 nm, 200 mW, 2 J/cm(2)) on both buccal and lingual sides of the teeth. In group 3 (LAT), the laser (808 nm, 200 mW, 24 J/cm(2)) was applied bilaterally to acupuncture points (SI 18, ST 6, LI 4, SJ 2, and SJ 5). Subjects in group 4 received placebo laser treatment. Patients were requested to record the intensity of spontaneous pain, pain while biting with anterior teeth, and pain while biting with posterior teeth at different times using a visual analogue scale (VAS). Results The intensity of spontaneous and biting pain increased up to the first or second days following initial archwire placement and diminished to a negligible value by the seventh day. No significant difference was found between the study groups concerning spontaneous and biting pain at any timepoint of investigation (P > 0.05). Conclusions With the protocols used in the study, low-level laser therapy and laser acupuncture therapy were as effective as ibuprofen and placebo laser treatment for pain reduction in orthodontic patients. Trial registration IRCT, IRCT20200622047886N1. Registered 2020-06-29; https://www.irct.ir/trial/49121