Testing a Non-Invasive Light Device for Reducing Dental Pain and Discomfort in Children Aged 6 to 12

What this Trial Is About

Researchers are evaluating photobiomodulation PBM using a non-invasive light device to reduce pain and discomfort during dental treatments in children aged 6 to 12 years. The study focuses on whether PBM can provide anesthesia and analgesia for teeth and soft tissues without the need for traditional needles, which often cause dental anxiety. This research involves a series of three clinical studies with 200 school-aged children undergoing routine dental procedures. The first study tests if PBM can numb teeth and gums by measuring responses to cold testing and gum probing. The second study examines if PBM applied before injections lessens the discomfort of local anesthesia infiltration. The third study evaluates whether PBM can replace numbing injections during simple dental fillings in baby teeth. PBM involves applying a burst of light for about 20 seconds with a near-infrared device that penetrates tooth and bone to block nerve signals. Some treatments involve multiple light bursts during longer procedures. Participants will undergo various dental procedures while researchers assess pain, anxiety, and cooperative behavior before, during, and after treatments using clinical observations and self-reports. Tests include cold pulp sensitivity and gingival probing. The study also measures how long pain relief lasts after PBM. This trial includes randomized groups comparing PBM to no PBM or standard topical benzocaine and local anesthesia. The total participation time varies with each dental procedure, and safety monitoring is included throughout the study.

Photobiomodulation and Tooth Analgesia