Effect of Photobiomodulation on Postoperative Pain of Single Visit Endodontic Treatment: A Case Report
Glaucia Gonçales Abud Machado
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Giovanna Fontgalland Ferreira
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Erika da Silva Mello
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Ellen Sayuri Ando Suguimoto
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Vinicius Leão Roncolato
Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Marcia Regina Cabral Oliveira
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Janainy Altrão Tognini
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Adriana Fernandes Paisano
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Cleber Pinto Camacho
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Sandra Kalil Bussadori
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Lara Jansiski Motta
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Cinthya Cosme Gutierrez Duran
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Raquel Agnelli Mesquita-Ferrari
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Kristianne Porta Santos Fernandes
Postgraduate Program in Biophotonics-Medicine, Universidade Nove de Julho, UNINOVE, São Paulo, Brazil.
Anna Carolina Ratto Tempestini Horliana
*
Universidade Nove de Julho, Nove de Julho University, 235/249 Vergueiro Street, 01525-000 São Paulo, SP, Brazil.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Photobiomodulation (PBM), formerly known as low-level laser therapy (LLLT), is a therapeutic technique that utilizes light at specific wavelengths to promote biological effects in cells and tissues. It can be applied to alleviate postoperative pain, accelerate healing, and reduce inflammation. The study aimed to evaluate the effect of Photobiomodulation (PBM) on postoperative pain following the treatment of two maxillary molars in a single-visit endodontic procedure. A patient with pain in teeth 1.6 and 1.7, diagnosed with irreversible pulpitis, received single visit endodontic treatment, with PBM used as an analgesic alternative. Before treatment, assessments of spontaneous pain, palpation (vestibular and palatal), and percussion (vertical and horizontal) were performed. After standard treatment, PBM was applied to tooth 1.7, while tooth 1.6 underwent a simulated procedure without device activation. The patient received a Visual Analog Scale (VAS) to record pain at 4, 8, and 12 hours after treatment, along with Paracetamol 750mg for use only if needed, recording the time of use. After 24 hours, a reassessment was conducted. Despite an increase in all pain levels compared to baseline, there was a reduction of over 50% in spontaneous pain parameters at all time points, reaching zero at 4 hours. There was a significant reduction in horizontal percussion (over 50%) and vertical percussion (about 29%), and a 36% increase in palatal palpation. There was no need for analgesics in any case. It is concluded that PBM may be an analgesic alternative for post-endodontic instrumentation spontaneous pain, acting on the periodontal ligament and reducing local inflammation. Larger studies are needed for a more comprehensive analysis of pain, including palpation and percussion.
Keywords: Low-level light therapy (LLLT), pain, pain management, endodontic inflammation