Effects of low power Er:YAG laser on the tooth pulp-evoked jaw-opening reflex

✍ Scribed by Jorge L. Zeredo; Katia M. Sasaki; Rie Fujiyama; Yukio Okada; Kazuo Toda

• Publisher: John Wiley and Sons
• Year: 2003
• Tongue: English
• Weight: 159 KB
• Volume: 33
• Category: Article
• ISSN: 0196-8092
• DOI: 10.1002/lsm.10217

✦ Synopsis

Abstract

Background and Objectives

Analgesic properties of laser irradiation have been of great interest in the field of dentistry. This study aimed at evaluating the analgesic effects of the Er:YAG laser system in rats during and after laser irradiation.

Study Design/Materials and Methods

A pulsed Er:YAG laser was applied to the oral mucosa of the mandibular incisor at an energy density of approximately 0.1 J/cm^2^/pulse for 10 minutes at 10 Hz, and the integrated digastric muscle electromyogram in tooth pulp‐evoked jaw‐opening reflex was used as an index of the nociceptive response.

Results

Significant reflex suppression was observed 10 minutes after laser irradiation. The reflex amplitude started to return to its original level about 45 minutes after cessation of laser irradiation.

Conclusions

The Er:YAG laser used at low output levels presented inhibitory effects on the tooth pulp‐evoked jaw‐opening reflex, suggesting that this laser system may be of use for pain control during various dental treatments. Lasers Surg. Med. 33:169–172, 2003. © 2003 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.