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Abstract
The aim of this study was to assess the effectiveness of low level laser therapy (LLLT) as a treatment for orofacial pain considering the methodology of the studies. PubMed (1983-2009) and one conference proceeding were searched. Studying quality was assessed using a validated instrument.1 A high-quality score was defined as high or low. Outcomes were defined as either positive (+), neutral (0), or negative (-). Thirty-three studies met inclusion criteria. The best evidence synthesis method was used to formulate outcome of LLLT for each type of control group. LLLT vs. placebo pooling revealed high-quality trials in three of eight positive studies. In LLLT vs. other active treatment pooling, two highquality studies out of nine neutral trials were found. Quality of the trial was not significantly associated with neutral results (p=0.05). Only limited evidence indicated that LLLT is more effective than placebo, sham laser, and other active treatments.
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Notes on contributors
Tasanee Tengrungsun
Dr. Tasanee Tengrungsun received her D.D.S. degree in 1985 from the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, Thailand. She received a postgraduate diploma in endodontics in 1989 from the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University. Dr. Tengrungsun is currently an associate professor of the Department of Advanced General Dentistry, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University.
Somsak Mitrirattanakul
Dr. Somsak Mitrirattanakul received his D.D.S. degree in 1992 from the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Thailand. He has been a diplomate of the American Board of Orofacial Pain since 2000 and received his Ph.D. from UCLA School of Dentistry in 2005. Dr.Mitrirattanakul is currently an associate professor of the Department of Masticatory Science, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University.
Phonlakorn Buranaprasertsuk
Dr. Phonlakorn Buranaprasertsuk received his D.D.S. degree in 2009 from the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Thailand. Dr. Buranaprasertsuk is currently an instructor of the Department of Masticatory Science, Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University.
Theeralaksna Suddhasthir
Dr. Theeralaksna Suddhasthira received her D.D.S. degree in 1978 from the Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University, Thailand. She has been a diplomate of the American Board of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery since 1988 and received her Masters and Ph.D. degrees in 1989 from University of Texas at Houston (dental branch). Dr. Suddhasthira is currently the Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, Mahidol University and an associate professor of the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial surgery