Low intensity laser in deciduous teeth pulpotomy

Abstract

The high rates of carious lesions in children and adolescents can result in pulp exposure or even early loss of the primary tooth, a situation that requires minimally invasive action by the dentist, in order to preserve the tooth in the oral cavity. Pulpotomy, a type of vital pulp therapy aimed at reversibly treating injuries related to the pulp chamber, uses different techniques in order to keep the vital tooth in the oral cavity until exfoliation. Aim: to demonstrate the effectiveness of the Low Intensity Laser Therapy (LBI) technique compared to Calcium Hydroxide in the pulpotomy procedure of primary teeth. Materials and methods: The research was a longitudinal clinical trial with nine primary molars of children aged 5 to 12 years. Clinical and radiographic evaluations were performed after periods of 1, 2, 3 and 6 months. Results: There was an index of clinical success regarding the absence of pain, sensitivity to percussion, abnormal swelling and, radiographically, the absence of internal or external resorption or furcation lesions in 100% of the cases. Conclusion: The LBI demonstrates benefits such as the absence of pain, the anti-inflammatory effect and the absence of adverse effects. Thus, it is suggested that LBI can be considered an alternative technique for pulpotomy in clinical practice. However, further clinical studies on the subject are recommended.