Effectiveness of Low-level Laser Therapy on Reversing Soft-tissue Local Anesthesia among 5- to 8-year-old Children: A Randomized Split-mouth Clinical Trial.

Background: Local anesthesia provides prolonged soft tissue numbness, which can interfere with the ability to perform functional activities such as mastication and speech. Aim: To assess the role of low-level laser therapy as a local anesthesia reversal agent in 5- to 8-year-old children. Materials and methods: Twenty-four children within the age-group of 5-8 years, requiring restorations, extractions, or crowns on both sides of the mandibular arch, were recruited in the trial. They were assigned randomly into group A and group B. Children in group A received sham laser treatment, and children in group B received low-level laser therapy. Preoperative and postoperative assessments were performed using the periodic functional assessment battery (pFAB) test by a single-blinded assessor. The incidence of soft tissue injuries was recorded before the patient's disposal from the dental office. All the data were collected, tabulated and subjected to statistical analysis. The data showed a normal distribution; therefore, the Chi-square test was used. Results: Periodic functional assessment battery test revealed a mean difference in reversal time of 31 minutes between the sham laser group and the low-level laser group, which was found to be statistically significant. Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy with 810 nm proved to be an effective tool in reversal of soft tissue local anesthesia among 5-8-year-old children. Clinical significance: Low-level laser therapy can be employed as a noninvasive soft tissue local anesthesia reversal agent. Reversal of prolonged soft tissue numbness helps to reduce discomfort to the children postoperatively and can decrease the incidence of self-inflicted soft tissue injuries. How to cite this article: Kiruthika D, Hemalatha R, Shankar P,