Lasers Med Sci. 2025 Jul 16;40(1):318. doi: 10.1007/s10103-025-04569-7.
ABSTRACT
This systematic review aims to evaluate the efficacy of laser-based photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) in reducing pain associated with dental injections. The review addresses the research question: “What is the effect of PBMT on pain levels during local anesthetic injections in dental patients compared to control interventions?”. A comprehensive search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, Embase, Web of Science, and Cochrane Library databases. Studies included were prospective or retrospective clinical trials involving PBMT for pain control during dental injections. The quality of studies was assessed using the revised Cochrane Risk of Bias 2 tool. Data were extracted on patient demographics, laser parameters, and pain outcomes. A total of 14 studies were included in this systematic review, with 6 focusing on children and 8 on adults. In children, three studies indicated that PBMT effectively reduced pain, with a significant difference according to the Wong-Baker FACES Pain Rating Scale (WFPRS) but not on the Face, Legs, Activity, Cry, and Consolability (FLACC) scale. Conversely, three studies found no significant differences between PBMT and topical anesthesia. In adults, five studies demonstrated a pain-reducing effect of PBMT, though one study reported a statistically significant difference that did not achieve clinical significance. The meta-analysis revealed a statistically significant overall effect of PBMT on pain reduction in both children and adults (p < 0.05). This systematic review of the literature suggests that PBMT may help reduce discomfort associated with dental injections in both adults and children. Nonetheless, further investigation is warranted to arrive at a more definitive conclusion on this topic.
PMID:40668432 | DOI:10.1007/s10103-025-04569-7
