Assessing the Impact of Low-level Laser Therapy on Anesthetic Depth in Patients with Irreversible Pulpitis: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Aims and background: Pain, linked to tissue injury, contributes significantly to dental phobia and anxiety, often rooted in painful childhood experiences. Effective dental anesthesia is crucial, but achieving an inferior alveolar nerve block (IANB) can be challenging due to anatomical variability. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) provides a noninvasive method to promote healing and reduce pain by modulating sensory nerve activity. This study aims to assess LLLT's effect on anesthesia depth during endodontic therapy for symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in the North Indian population. Materials and methods: This blinded, prospective, randomized controlled trial was conducted from September to November 2023, with a 1:1 allocation ratio. Seventy participants with symptomatic irreversible pulpitis in mandibular molars were randomly assigned to a laser group receiving 940 nm diode laser therapy or a placebo group receiving light emitting diode (LED) light treatment. Pain levels were assessed during dentinal cutting and pulp chamber entry using the Heft-Parker visual analog scale (VAS). Statistical analysis was conducted using one-way ANOVA in SPSS to evaluate the findings. Results: Participants receiving LLLT reported significantly lower pain scores than the placebo group, indicating effective pain reduction during dental procedures. Conclusion: The study confirms that LLLT alleviates pain and reduces the need for supplemental injections during root canal treatments, enhancing pain management. Clinical significance: The growing use of lasers in dentistry now includes endodontics, with this study indicating their potential as a valuable adjunct for supplemental injections in nerve blocks.