Diode Laser on the Reversal of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Anesthesia in Children

Effectiveness of Photobiomodulation Using Diode Laser on the Reversal of Inferior Alveolar Nerve Block Anesthesia in Children: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Inevitable problems were reported following the injection of local anesthesia in pediatric dental procedures, which can last until the elimination of soft tissue anesthesia.

Purpose of the study: To evaluate the effectiveness of diode laser photobiomodulation therapy on the reversal of soft tissue anesthesia (STA) in children following inferior alveolar nerve block anesthesia.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients in need of operative dental procedures, requiring inferior alveolar nerve (IANB) anesthesia.
• Healthy patients (physical status ASA I).
• Definitely positive or positive patients on the Frankl behavior scale.
• No reported allergies to LA, epinephrine or sulfites.
• Normal lip sensation before administration of LA

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients requiring surgical procedures (i.e. extractions).
• Patients who will show excessive fear to the Transcutaneous Electric Nerve Stimulator (TENS) device and provide a false-positive response on inactivated electrode (absence of current) using the Venham scale.
• Patients who will not be trainable in the standardized lip tapping procedure (could not learn to distinguish the anesthetized numb side from the non-anesthetized side).
• Patients who will not achieve profound numbness after initial LA administration, requiring additional anesthesia using SEM scale.