Effect of photobiomodulation on recovery from oral soft tissue local anaesthesia in paediatric patients: a preliminary split-mouth randomized clinical trial.
Zia Ul Haque Mohamed, Penmetsa Ahalya, Chandrappa Vinay et al.
✦ AI-curated · Sources linked
In 30 seconds
This preliminary split-mouth randomized clinical trial assessed whether 810-nm diode laser photobiomodulation (PBM) shortened oral soft-tissue anaesthesia after infiltration local anaesthesia in 34 children aged 8–12 years undergoing bilateral primary-tooth extractions. Each child received PBM and sham treatment, separated by a 7–10-day washout. Mean time to return of normal sensation was 60.7 ± 27.3 min with PBM versus 78.2 ± 17.0 min with sham (p < 0.001). The authors also reported significant reductions in recovery time in both maxillary and mandibular arches.
Key findings
- Mean recovery time was 60.7 ± 27.3 min with PBM and 78.2 ± 17.0 min with sham (p < 0.001).
- Subgroup analyses found significantly shorter recovery times with PBM in both maxillary and mandibular arches.
Why it matters
Prolonged oral soft-tissue numbness after dental local anaesthesia can leave children vulnerable to inadvertent injury. This trial suggests that PBM may shorten the period of reduced sensation under the tested conditions, making recovery time a relevant outcome when evaluating approaches to post-anaesthetic care.
What to keep in mind
The study was preliminary and assessed subjective return of sensation in children undergoing bilateral primary-tooth extractions; the findings apply to the tested protocol and population.