Orthodontic pain
Low-level laser therapy for orthodontic pain
Dental evidence on LLLT for pain after orthodontic force, separators, and archwires.
Cited reviews include 20 RCTs and a diode-laser review of 14 RCTs with 659 participants.
low
not-panel-replicable
Bottom line
This is a dental-professional category and should not be used to sell red light panels.
Consensus: LLLT appears to reduce short-term orthodontic pain, but trial quality is often weak.
What the studies found
- A 2017 review found reductions in spontaneous and chewing pain after orthodontic force.
- A 2015 review found diode LLLT reduced orthodontic pain by 39% versus placebo.
- Both reviews emphasized methodological weaknesses.
Dosage and timing
| Wavelengths | Not settled nm |
|---|---|
| Irradiance | Not settled |
| Fluence | Not settled |
| Session time | Dental protocol-specific. |
| Frequency | Timed around orthodontic force or dental procedures. |
| Duration | Pain outcomes commonly at 24 and 72 hours. |
| Timing | Procedure-timed. |
| Treatment area | Dental/orthodontic targets. |
| Device types | Diode and other dental low-level lasers. |
| Notes | High risk of bias is common. |
- Timing is tied to orthodontic procedures.
- No panel-relevant protocol exists.
- Dental professionals should choose protocol and device.
Caveats
- Orthodontic pain protocols are intraoral/dental, not home panel protocols.
- Evidence quality limits confidence.
Cited peer-reviewed sources
Deana NF, Zaror C, Sandoval P, et al. Pain Research and Management. 2017.
A meta-analysis found LLLT reduced spontaneous and chewing pain after orthodontic force, but evidence quality was poor.
Ren C, McGrath C, Yang Y. Lasers in Medical Science. 2015.
A diode LLLT meta-analysis found reduced orthodontic pain versus placebo, but methodological weaknesses were substantial.
Last reviewed: 2026-06-15