Low-Level Laser Therapy for Pulpotomy Treatment of Primary Molars

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been increasingly in use over the last few decades in both medicine and dentistry. It has been suggested that LLLT may be helpful in pulpal wound healing following pulp exposure. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of LLLT and formocresol (FC) application in healing of remaining pulp following pulp amputation in primary molars. A total of 23 contralateral pairs of teeth from 11 children aged 4 to 7 years were selected and matched using clinical and radiographic criteria. One tooth from each pair was randomly assigned to the LLLT pulpotomy and the to FC pulpotomy group. During a 6-month follow-up period, the teeth were examined clinically and radiographically. Eight patients (four in each group) completed six-month and 6 patients (three in each group) completed one-year follow-up. Clinically, no complication was observed in the teeth. However, radiographic assessment revealed signs of periradicular radiolucency in two teeth in LLLT group. Findings of this investigation show that LLLT can be used successfully as a complementary step to pulpotomy procedure in order to help the healing of amputated pulp. Longer follow-up periods are recommended to investigate long-term effect of LLLT pulpotomy on pulp.