177 - Pediatric Dental Analgesia using Photobiomodulation: A Split-Mouth Randomized Control Trial

Abstract:

Purpose: This split-mouth randomized clinical trial aimed to evaluate the efficacy of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in providing pediatric dental analgesia, as determined by reduction in physiological stress during routine diagnostic procedures.

Methods: Twenty-nine healthy children (ages 7–12) presenting with at least two contralateral healthy primary molars were enrolled. Treatment site (PBMT vs. control) and testing order were randomized via sealed envelopes. Physiological stress was measured by the heart rate (HR). Following safety protocol, PBMT was delivered via 20-second light bursts to buccal and lingual surfaces. After a two-minute interval, gingival probing (GP) was performed using a periodontal probe; HR was recorded at baseline, immediately post-probing, and every five minutes for 20 minutes. For cold testing (CT), ethyl chloride was applied to the buccal surface (middle third) for up to 5 seconds or until the sensation was signaled. Data were analyzed using paired t-test with significance set at P < .05.

Results: Mean age of participants was 8.55±1.21 years; twenty females enrolled. For CT, mean HR difference was significantly lower in PBMT group (P=.02), with no difference in perception of cold sensation between groups. For GP, while the mean HR difference was lower for PBMT than control (1.49 vs 4.66); it was not statistically significant (P= .07). However, the HR remained stable for 20 minutes post-PBMT.

Conclusion: PBMT may provide effective dental analgesia by reducing physiological stress during CT while preserving the sensory function. Physiological stress remained stable for 20 minutes post PBMT during GP. No adverse events were reported.

Identify Supporting Agency and Grant Number: Research supported by Dentroid, Australia (Pl Vineet Dhar). The sponsor had no role in study design, data collection, analysis, interpretation, or poster preparation. Grant #HP 00112812.