Clinical and radiographic outcomes of the use of Low-Level Laser Therapy in vital pulp of primary teeth

• Published in: International journal of paediatric dentistry Vol. 25; no. 2; pp. 144 - 150
• Main Authors: Fernandes, Ana Paula, Lourenço Neto, Natalino, Teixeira Marques, Nádia Carolina, Silveira Moretti, Ana Beatriz, Sakai, Vivien Thiemy, Cruvinel Silva, Thiago, Andrade Moreira Machado, Maria Aparecida, Marchini Oliveira, Thais
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Blackwell Publishing Ltd 01.03.2015
• Subjects: Calcium Hydroxide - therapeutic use; Child; Child, Preschool; Children & youth; Dental Pulp - radiation effects; Dentistry; Female; Formocresols - therapeutic use; Humans; Lasers; Low-Level Light Therapy - methods; Male; Molar; Pulpotomy - methods; Radiography; Teeth; Tooth, Deciduous; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 0960-7439; 1365-263X
• DOI: 10.1111/ipd.12115

Aim This study aimed to compare the clinical and radiographic effectiveness of Low Level Laser Therapy in vital pulp of human primary teeth. Methods Sixty mandibular primary molars of children aged between 5–9 years were assigned into four groups: Diluted Formocresol (FC), Calcium Hydroxide (CH), Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and Calcium Hydroxide preceded by Low Level Laser Therapy (LLLT + CH). The clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed at 6, 12 and 18 post‐operative months. Results All the groups studied were successful in the clinical evaluation over the follow‐up period. At 6 months, the radiographic success rate for FC group was 100%, 60% for CH group, 80% for LLLT group and 85.7% for LLLT + CH group. After 12 months, the radiographic success rate was 100% for FC group, 50% for CH group, 80% for LLLT group and 78.6% for LLLT + CH group. At the 18 months follow‐up, 100% of the FC group, 66.7% of CH group, 73.3% of the LLLT group and 75% of the LLLT + CH group. Conclusion These findings suggest that Low Level Laser Therapy may be considered as an adjuvant alternative for vital pulp therapy on human primary teeth. Low Level Laser Therapy preceding the use of calcium hydroxide showed satisfactory results.