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Effect of low-level laser stimulation of acupuncture points in pediatric dentistry: a systematic review.

Lasers in medical science
January 1, 1970
Paôla Caroline da Silva Mira et al. (4 authors)
Systematic ReviewJournal ArticleReviewHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to analyze the clinical application of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) at acupoints for managing dental anxiety and related symptoms in pediatric dental patients.

Results Summary

LLLT showed positive effects on sleep bruxism, preanesthetic pain, and gag reflex in pediatric dentistry, with minimal variations in application time and exposure dose. Only one study had a high risk of bias.

Population

Pediatric dental patients

Effective Dosage

Exposure dose ranged from 1 to 5 joules, with application times between 14 seconds and 1 minute.

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
increase
different acupuncture points
-
-
acted positively on
#1
low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
decrease
gag reflex during radiography and impression taking
pediatric dental population
-
provided various benefits and optimized dental practice by reducing
#2
low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
decrease
preanesthetic pain
pediatric dental population
-
provided various benefits and optimized dental practice by reducing
#3
low-level laser therapy (LLLT)
decrease
symptoms of sleep bruxism
pediatric dental population
-
provided various benefits and optimized dental practice by reducing
#4
LLLT at acupuncture points
decrease
sleep bruxism
pediatric dentistry
-
is associated with positive results on
#5
LLLT at acupuncture points
decrease
preanesthetic pain
pediatric dentistry
-
is associated with positive results on
#6
LLLT at acupuncture points
decrease
gag reflex
pediatric dentistry
-
is associated with positive results on
#7
Abstract

The biomodulatory potential of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has prompted investigations of different outcomes in health. One line of research is the stimulation of acupuncture points for the relief of different signs and symptoms related to the stomatognathic system. In dentistry, some studies in pediatric dentistry have demonstrated the benefit of LLLT therapies in the management of dental anxiety in children. This systematic review aimed to analyze previous clinical studies on the application of LLLT at acupoints among pediatric dental patients. This systematic review was conducted according to the Cochrane Collaboration guidelines and the population, intervention, comparison, and outcome strategy. A broad literature search up to June 17, 2022, was performed using four electronic databases (PubMed, Scopus, Embase, and Google Scholar). The risk of bias in randomized clinical trials was assessed using the RoB 2 tool. A total of four studies using LLLT for photobiomodulation were included (n = 4). The most common wavelengths used were in the infrared range (variation between 716 nm and 980 nm). There were little variations in the application time (14 s to 1 min) and exposure dose (1 to 5 joules). LLLT acted positively on different acupuncture points. LLLT provided various benefits and optimized dental practice by reducing the gag reflex during radiography and impression taking, preanesthetic pain, and symptoms of sleep bruxism in the pediatric dental population. Only one of the evaluated studies had a high risk of bias. The LLLT at acupuncture points is associated with positive results on sleep bruxism, preanesthetic pain, and gag reflex in pediatric dentistry. Future research studies should prioritize standardization of the study design and the methods of analysis.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
HumansChildAcupuncture PointsPediatric DentistrySleep BruxismPainLow-Level Light TherapyLasers
Study Links
Quality Scores
SafetyNot Assessed
Efficacy85/10
Quality75/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations5
Citations/Year2.5
Relative Citation Ratio3.34
NIH Percentile87.1%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.25
Weight Score1.51
Normalized Score0.69
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