Laser Therapy for Managing Pain During Dental Procedures in Children.
Imagine a trip to the dentist that doesn’t leave your you AND your little one in distress, and you both might even walk out with a smile. Sounds like a dream, right? Well, laser photobiomodulation (PBM) therapy is making that dream a reality for many families.
In a recent clinical trial, researchers explored how laser therapy could reduce injection pain in children. Traditional methods like topical anesthetic gels or other tricks have their place, but lasers are taking pain management to the next level. Let’s break down the key points you need to know.
So, What’s Photobiomodulation (PBM) Therapy?
PBM therapy uses a low-level laser that’s completely non-invasive (yay, no needles here!) to help manage pain at the injection site before local anesthesia. The best part? It’s safe for children and doesn’t involve any medications. When used before dental procedures like pulpotomy (a common treatment for kids’ molars), it can significantly reduce the discomfort of injections.
Laser for pain management in adults and children.
How It Works:
PBM lasers help reduce pain by calming the nerve signals and improving blood circulation in the area, which makes it much less painful than traditional anesthesia injections. The trial showed kids who received laser treatment reported significantly lower pain levels, not just during the injection but also throughout the dental procedure. Photobiomodulation use in reducing injection-related pain has been tested in several studies.
Protocols Used:
Wavelength 660 nm was used - with laser parameters of: Power 0.1 W, energy 6 J, Continuous wave, energy Tip area 0.5 cm2, fluence 12 J/cm2 was applied at the site of needle penetration for 60 seconds.
The Results:
Compared to kids who only received a topical anesthetic gel, children treated with laser PBM experienced:
Lower heart rates (a physiological indicator of pain).
Less discomfort, as rated by eye movements, body reactions, and vocal responses.
Higher levels of satisfaction after the procedure. Over 78% of the kids in the laser group were happier compared to 53% in the gel group.
What’s the Takeaway for Parents?
If your child has dental work coming up and the idea of needles and pain sounds like a nightmare, ask about laser PBM therapy. It’s a simple, non-pharmacological option that can make a huge difference, especially when traditional pain relief options might not be enough.
PBM therapy is an emerging tool, and with its minimal side effects, it’s a great fit for both dental and potentially even post-tongue-tie care when other pain management options are limited. Ask your dentist if they offer this option - and if they don’t have it - consider finding a dentist that does. (There’s way too many adults out there who have had difficult dental visits as children who now avoid dental work).
With therapeutic laser therapy, we're talking fewer tears, faster healing, and a lot more peace of mind for parents and children alike.
Tracy
