Efeito do uso de laser de baixa potência na percepção de dor durante a punção anestésica de anestesia local odontológica: uma revisão sistemática

Abstract

Background: The low-level laser is a technology widely used nowadays and has several benefits in Dentistry, especially regarding pain management. Objective: To systematically analyze the literature on changes in pain perception during anesthetic puncture of dental local anesthesia after using a low-level laser. Search methods: An electronic search was performed in eight main databases (Embase, LILACS, BBO, LIVIVO, MedLine via PubMed, SciELO, Scopus, and Web of Science) and three additional databases (EASY, Google Scholar, and OATD) to partially capture the "gray literature". Selection criteria: The PICO strategy was used to identify randomized and non-randomized clinical trials evaluating the analgesic effect of using low-level laser during at the anesthetic puncture site of dental local anesthesia compared to placebo or control groups, without the restriction of publication language and year. Data collection and analysis: Two reviewers extracted the data and assessed the individual risk of bias of the eligible studies using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Tools. Results: 3,485 studies were found from which 8 met the eligibility criteria and were included in the qualitative synthesis. The studies were published from 2011 to 2022. Four studies had low risk of bias, three studies presented moderate risk, and one study showed high risk. Laser groups showed lower pain scores than placebo and control groups in five studies. There were higher pain scores for laser groups in three studies. Among these three studies, one considered low-level laser therapy as an effective analgesic technique for dental local anesthetic puncture and the other two considered it as non-effective. Conclusion: Based on limited evidence, the low-level laser can be used to reduce pain perception at the anesthetic puncture site in patients undergoing dental local anesthesia.