The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on postoperative pain provoked by thermal stimulation in direct pulp capping. All the patients who received consent form in this retrospective study were retrieved from the records of patients attended for routine dental treatment at the Ordu University, Faculty of Dentistry, Department of Endodontics between 01.10.2017-01.10.2018. Study subjects were recruited from the pool of patients who performed direct pulp capping by a single operator. A total of 123 pre-treated teeth of 123 patients who referred to Ordu University, Faculty of Dentistry were examined. Follow-up examinations were carried out at postoperative 6th hours, 1st and 7th days with visual analog scale (VAS), and treatment outcome were assessed. Participants were allocated to the laser and control group which consist of 42 patients in each group. 6 patients were excluded from the study due to missing data in both groups. Thus, data from 72 patients who had been carried out direct pulp capping were assessed.

Inclusion Criteria:

1. Mandibular and maxillary permanent molars with pulpal exposure between 0.5-1.0 mm
2. Periodontally healthy teeth (no more than 3mm probing depth)
3. Pulpal exposure occurring only on the occlusal side of the tooth
4. Systemically healthy participant
5. Participants who signed the written consent form
6. Patients aged 15-45
7. Patients who have not used analgesic or antibiotic in the past two weeks
8. Patients whose data are fully and accurately recorded
9. Patients who do not use immunosuppressive drugs and do not need antibiotic prophylaxis

Exclusion Criteria:

1. Patients who need a second anesthetic
2. Presence of a previous restoration of the tooth
3. Patients using psychiatric or sedative medication
4. Patients who had a direct pulp capping treatment on several teeth
5. Patients with tooth pain and unable to localize this pain
6. Patients taking pain medication within 1 week after the procedures
7. Patients with a lack of data during follow-up
8. Treated teeth without following clinical procedures

All the participants in this study were retrieved from the pool of patients who attended for routine treatment at the Department of Endodontics at the University Hospital of Ordu between October 2017 and October 2018. Those patients who had received DPC treatment by a single operator were selected.

undecided