Near‑infrared photobiomodulation for pain relief during children's dental care
Evaluation of a Photobiomodulation Device for Dental Analgesia in Pediatric Patients
This will test a non‑invasive near‑infrared light device to reduce tooth and gum pain and potentially avoid injections for children aged 6–12 undergoing routine dental care.
Quick facts
| Phase | Not applicable |
|---|---|
| Study type | Interventional |
| Enrollment | 200 (estimated) |
| Ages | 6 Years to 12 Years |
| Sex | All |
| Sponsor | University of Maryland, Baltimore Academic / other |
| Locations | 1 site (Baltimore, Maryland) |
| Trial ID | NCT06691269 on ClinicalTrials.gov |
What this trial studies
Investigators plan three prospective, randomized clinical studies enrolling about 200 healthy children aged 6–12 who need routine dental procedures at the University of Maryland pediatric clinics. An intra‑oral photobiomodulation (PBM) device with a multi‑emitter near‑infrared tip will be applied for short bursts (about 20 seconds) to target tooth and soft tissue before diagnostic testing, injections, or simple fillings. The first trial will measure changes in cold and probing responses, the second will test whether PBM reduces injection discomfort, and the third will explore whether PBM can enable simple fillings in baby teeth without local anesthetic injections. Outcomes include patient‑reported discomfort, behavioral responses, and comparisons with topical benzocaine and standard local anesthesia using randomized allocation.
Who should consider this trial
Good fit: Healthy, cooperative children aged 6–12 who require routine dental treatment such as exams, injections, or simple fillings are the intended participants.
Not a fit: Children with uncooperative behavior, significant medical conditions, complex dental needs, or infections that require deeper anesthesia may not benefit from this approach.
Why it matters
Potential benefit: If effective, PBM could provide brief tooth and gum numbness without needles, lowering pain and anxiety and improving access to routine dental care for children.
How similar studies have performed: Small clinical and preclinical reports suggest PBM can produce short‑term dental analgesia, but randomized pediatric trials are limited and the method remains relatively novel.
Eligibility criteria
Show full inclusion / exclusion criteria
Inclusion Criteria: * Healthy children, aged 6-12 years, requiring routine dental treatment Exclusion Criteria: * Children with uncooperative behavior or signficant medical history
Where this trial is running
Baltimore, Maryland
- University of Maryland School of Dentistry, Pediatric Clinics — Baltimore, Maryland, United States (Recruiting)
Study contacts
- Study coordinator: Vineet Dhar, BDS, MDS, PhD
- Email: vdhar@umaryland.edu
- Phone: 410-706-7970
How to participate
- Review the eligibility criteria above with your treating physician.
- Visit the official trial page on ClinicalTrials.gov for the most current contact information and recruitment status.
- Contact the listed study coordinator or principal investigator to request pre-screening. Pre-screening is free and never obligates you to enroll.