Low-Level Laser Therapy Controls Postoperative Pain in Endodontics: a Meta-Analysis

Objectives: The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the available evidence regarding the analgesic efficacy of Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) and to compare it to the most widespread drugs for postoperative pain in Endodontics.
Methods: A database search in PubMed, PubMed Central, Scopus, LILACS, SciELO, Virtual Health Library, EMBASE and Open Gray was conducted using appropriate key words relevant to the subject. Assessment of the risk of bias was carried out.
Results: Of the 811 studies, 6 fulfilled the inclusion criteria. Five studies compared the effect of LLLT to placebo groups and one compared to anti-inflammatory medication (NSAIDs). Five studies, including the one using NSAIDs, reported that LLLT was more effective in modulating postoperative pain than procedures of the control groups. Five studies had a moderate risk of bias, and one had a low risk. Five studies were grouped in a meta-analysis and analgesic efficacy of LLLT compared to placebo showed statistically significant differences between groups (p<.00001), favoring the LLLT. The I² test value was 31%.
Conclusions: LLLT, as an analgesic alternative tool to control postoperative pain after endodontic treatment, has shown promising results when analyzing the current literature. More quality and well-designed studies are needed to enrich this growing research field.