The objective of this research was to compare the effect single low-level laser therapy (LLLT) irradiation on pain perception in patients having fixed appliance treatment in the clinic of orthodontics. Sixty-two patients were recruited to participate in this randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled study. The patients were assigned to four groups: group I-laser on the right side; group II-placebo on the right side; group III-laser on the left side; group IV-placebo on the left. The laser or placebo was applied before separation, 24 and 48 h after separation of their first permanent molars in the lower arch. Just after the separation, the average of the pain for the placebo group was 1.6, significantly greater than the average of 1.1 registered for the laser group (p = 0.013). After 24 h and before the new irradiation, the values registered among the different groups did not show any differences. In relation to the gender, only after the first irradiation in placebo group, the female had a level of pain (0.1) significantly higher (p = 0.04) compared to male, and after 48 h, the group where the laser was applied had a difference (p = 0.04) among the gender with a value of lower pain for men (0.6) than for women (1.6).The laser irradiation to minimize the pain was only effective when applied immediately after treatment and separation. In general way, there were no differences between the genders, except after the first placebo group irradiation in which the female had a significantly higher level of pain compared to male and after 48 h. The pain cycle observed in this study had its peak in 24 h, both for laser's and placebo's group.

No abstract

This original case report describes the morphologic changes caused by a mandibular condylar osteochondroma (OC) on a female patient and its treatment. The changes were identified by comparing her final records from a previous orthodontic treatment, without the presence of OC, to records taken before a second treatment, with a developed OC. The diagnostics and treatment for the OC and its consequences were described and discussed in this paper. Treatment included orthodontics with a lingual appliance, low condylectomy on the affected side, high condylectomy on the contralateral side, bilateral disc repositioning and orthognathic surgery. It was concluded that the OC caused a Class III subdivision malocclusion, midline deviation and an edge-to-edge bite on the left side, a cant of the occlusal plane on the Z-axis and a deviation of the pogonion to the left. Treatment was successful and stable long term (36 months) with good occlusal, aesthetical and functional results.