AzTrials
AzTrials

PhotobiomodulationNCT05935306

Effect of Photobiomodulation to Reduce Post-operative Pain After Endodontic Surgery

A study testing Ibuprofen, Photobiomodulation simulation and Photobiomodulation in people with Photobiomodulation and Endodontic Disease, run by University of Nove de Julho at 1 site in Uruguay.

Completed

Finished. The study has ended and is not enrolling. Results may be posted on the official record.

Official record
Search all trials

Trial summary

The objective of this study will be to evaluate if photobiomodulation (FBM) can reduce postoperative pain in patients who will undergo endodontic surgery. For this randomized, controlled and double-blind clinical study, 34 patients without comorbidities who need endodontic surgery in the upper jaw (15 to 25 teeth)… Read more about this study

Who is it for?
Ages 18 to 70 yearsHealthy volunteers can take part
Conditions the study is for
Photobiomodulation, Endodontic Disease, Pain
What is being tested?
Ibuprofen, Photobiomodulation simulation and Photobiomodulation
Type of treatment
Medical device
Could I receive a placebo?
No, everyone receives an active treatment
How many people
34 participants
Where
1 siteUruguay
Study dates
30 Jun 2024to 1 Dec 2025
Phase
Interventional
Are there results?
None posted in the registry

Key requirements

Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.

  • Ages 18 to 70 years
  • All sexes
  • Healthy volunteers accepted
  • Adult, Older adult

Who may be able to join

  • :• Patients with periapical lesions who have already undergone endodontic treatment (lesions smaller than 10mm in their greatest diameter - Metin et al., 2018, single and chronic lesions)
  • Patients with not comorbidities,
  • Age from 18 to 70 years,
  • Both genders,
  • Healthy permanent teeth with good hygiene.

Who cannot join

  • Who are taking drugs that affect bone metabolism and the inflammatory process (for example: corticosteroids, bisphosphonates),
  • Smokers, pregnant or lactating women,
  • Who used anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 3 months before surgery.
  • Who for any reason interrupted the evolution of the treatment for not attending joint appointments.
  • Patients who do not follow the guidelines or have an injury in the acute phase (pain, edema, exudate)

Trial locations and contacts

1 site in 1 country.

Uruguay1 site
  • Universidade Catolica do Uruguay

    Montevideo

Other trials in Uruguay

About this study

Official title: Effect of Photobiomodulation to Reduce Post-operative Pain After Endodontic Surgery: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

The objective of this study will be to evaluate if photobiomodulation (FBM) can reduce postoperative pain in patients who will undergo endodontic surgery. For this randomized, controlled and double-blind clinical study, 34 patients without comorbidities who need endodontic surgery in the upper jaw (15 to 25 teeth) will be recruited. They will be randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 17) photobiomodulation (808nm, 100 mW, and 4J/cm2 with 5 points per vestibular). Applications will be made in the immediate postoperative period and 24 hours after surgery. Control group (n = 17) a FBM simulation will be performed in the same way as in the experimental group. In this group, the required analgesia will be administered within the standard with ibuprofen. Both groups will perform the necessary conventional procedures considered the gold standard in the literature. Both the patient and the evaluator will be blinded to the intervention performed. The primary outcome variable of the study will be postoperative pain, which will be assessed using the visual analog scale at all postoperative control visits (baseline, 24 hours and 7 days). As for the secondary outcome variables, the amount of systemic medication received according to the patient's need (will be provided by the investigator).. Radiographic images will be obtained after 1 and 2 months for evaluation of the repair (dimensions of the lesion, radiopacity). These radiographs will be taken digitally with the positioners implemented. Edema, ecchymosis, and evaluation of soft tissues in the anterior portion of the intra and extra-oral maxilla will also be evaluated. In addition, a digital thermometer. These parameters will be evaluated 24 hours and 7 days after the intervention. The X-rays will be taken in the 1st and 3rd month respectively.

Read the detailed description

Photobiomodulation (FBM) has shown favorable results in the postoperative period of endodontic surgery, however, up to now, the level of evidence in this procedure is low. The objective of this study will be to evaluate if photobiomodulation (FBM) can reduce postoperative pain in patients who will undergo endodontic surgery. For this randomized, controlled, and double-blind clinical study, 34 Uruguayan participants of both sexes who previously consulted at the Clínica Universitaria de la Salud, with a diagnosis of periodontitis with an apical lesion less than 10mm with or without a fistula, diagnosed clinically and radiographically, in the upper maxillary region (from 15 to 25) will be recruited. Participants included in the study must have periapical lesions who have already undergone endodontic treatment (lesions smaller than 10mm in their greatest diameter - Metin et al., 2018, single and chronic lesions), no comorbidities, age from 18 to 70 years, both genders, healthy permanent teeth with good hygiene. Participants will be excluded if they are taking drugs that affect bone metabolism and the inflammatory process (for example corticosteroids, bisphosphonates), Smokers, pregnant or lactating women, if used anti-inflammatory drugs in the last 3 months before surgery, who do not follow the guidelines or have an injury in the acute phase (pain, edema, exudate). They will be randomly divided into an experimental group (n = 17) photobiomodulation (808nm, 100 mW, and 4J/cm2 with 5 points per vestibular). Applications will be made in the immediate postoperative period and 24 hours after surgery. Control group (n = 17) FBM simulation will be performed in the same way as in the experimental group. In this group, the required analgesia will be administered within the standard with ibuprofen. Both groups will perform the necessary conventional procedures considered the gold standard in the literature. Both the patient and the evaluator will be blinded to the intervention performed. The primary outcome variable of the study will be postoperative pain, which will be assessed using the visual analog scale at all postoperative control visits (baseline, 24 hours, and 7 days). As for the secondary outcome variables, the amount of systemic medication received according to the patient's need (will be provided by the investigator). Radiographic images will be obtained after 1 and 3 months for evaluation of the repair (dimensions of the lesion, radiopacity). These radiographs will be taken digitally with the positioners implemented. Edema, ecchymosis, and evaluation of soft tissues in the anterior portion of the intra and extra-oral maxilla will also be evaluated. In addition, the temperature with a digital thermometer. These parameters will be evaluated 24 hours and 7 days after the intervention. The X-rays will be taken in the 1st and 3rd months, respectively. Once all the data have been collected, their normality will be tested, and the one-way ANOVA test and the complementary Tukey test will be carried out. Data will be presented as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and the accepted p-value will be <0.0

Being tested
Ibuprofen, Photobiomodulation simulation, Photobiomodulation, Ibuprofen simulation
Medical subject headings
Dental Pulp Diseases, Pain, Inflammation

What participants receive

What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.

  • IbuprofenDrug

    Also called antinflamatory

    All participants will undergo the same conventional surgical procedure. Patients will receive the FBM simulation and will be treated identically to the G2 group.

  • Photobiomodulation simulationOther

    The person responsible for applying the FBM will simulate the radiation by placing the devices in the same places described for the FBM group, however, the equipment will remain turned off.

  • PhotobiomodulationDevice

    . Patients will receive FBM and will be treated identically to the G2 group. The irradiated region will be on the lesion at 4 equidistant points on the vertex of a flat square 1 cm away.

  • Ibuprofen simulationOther

    Also called antinflamatory placebo

    Placebo ibuprofen will be manipulated by pharmacy (Matias Gonzalez)

Study groups in NCT05935306
Study groupRoleWhat they receive
G1- Control groupActive comparatorConventional treatment + FBM simulation (n = 17 patients): All participants will undergo the same conventional surgical procedure. Patients will receive the FBM simulation and will be treated identically to the G2 group. The person responsible for applying the FBM will simulate the radiation by placing the devices in the same places described for the FBM group, however, the equipment will remain turned off. Thus for the participant does not identify the group to which he belongs, the device activation sound (beep) will be recorded and it will turn on at the time of application.
Receives: Drug: Ibuprofen; Other: Photobiomodulation simulation
G2- Intervention groupExperimentalConventional treatment with placebo ibuprofen + FBM (n = 17) All participants will undergo the same surgical procedure. Patients will receive FBM (Table 1) and will be treated identically to the G2 group. The irradiated region will be on the lesion at 4 equidistant points on the vertex of a flat square 1 cm away. A dot will be irradiated in the middle of the square (Figure 1). Placebo ibuprofen will be manipulated.
Receives: Device: Photobiomodulation; Other: Ibuprofen simulation

What is being measured

The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.

  1. Pain in postoperative period - baseline

    The primary outcome was Pain in the postoperative period, assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 represented "no pain" and 10 represented "worst pain imaginable." The main analysis focused on the change in pain intensity at 24 hours postoperatively compared to baseline (immediate postoperative period), as this time point is considered the most clinically relevant for evaluating the effectiveness of photobiomodulation in the management of acute postoperative pain.

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  2. Pain in postoperative period - 24 hours after treatment

    The primary outcome was Pain in the postoperative period, assessed using a 10 cm Visual Analogue Scale (VAS), where 0 represented "no pain" and 10 represented "worst pain imaginable." The main analysis focused on the change in pain intensity at 24 hours postoperatively compared to baseline (immediate postoperative period), as this time point is considered the most clinically relevant for evaluating the effectiveness of photobiomodulation in the management of acute postoperative pain.

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

Secondary outcomes (22)
  1. Pain in postoperative period - 7 days after treatment

    Pain will also be assessed on the 7th day after surgery; however, this is defined as a secondary outcome, since other postoperative parameters-such as edema, ecchymosis, and soft tissue condition-will be evaluated at this time. Based on the literature, we do not expect significant pain at this later stage

    Measured: 7th days after treatment

  2. Quantity of analgesics taken in the specific periods - baseline

    The number of analgesics taken at the baseline will be recorded. Paracetamol will be the sole analgesic administered to the patients and recommended for use solely in cases of pain after surgery.

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  3. Quantity of analgesics taken in the specific periods - 24 hours after treatment

    The number of analgesics taken in the first 24 hours following surgery will be recorded. Paracetamol will be the sole analgesic administered to the patients and recommended for usage solely in cases of pain.

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

  4. Quantity of analgesics taken in the specific periods - 7 days after treatment

    The number of analgesics taken in the seven days following surgery will be recorded. Paracetamol will be the sole analgesic administered to the patients and recommended for usage solely in cases of pain.

    Measured: 7 days after treatment

  5. Edema - baseline

    A scale will be used to quantify the extent of edema. This scale has scores ranging from 0 to 3: 0 = no edema, 1 = intraoral edema, 2 = extraoral edema, and 3 = diffuse edema. This outcome will be measured at baseline, 24 hours, and seven days after surgery.

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  6. Edema - 24 hours after treatment

    A scale will be used to quantify the extent of edema. This scale has scores ranging from 0 to 3: 0 = no edema, 1 = intraoral edema, 2 = extraoral edema, and 3 = diffuse edema. This outcome will be measured at baseline, 24 hours, and seven days after surgery.

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

  7. Edema - 7 days after treatment

    A scale will be used to quantify the extent of edema. This scale has scores ranging from 0 to 3: 0 = no edema, 1 = intraoral edema, 2 = extraoral edema, and 3 = diffuse edema. This outcome will be measured at baseline, 24 hours, and seven days after surgery.

    Measured: 7 days after treatment

  8. Ecchymosis - baseline

    Ecchymosis refers to bleeding in the subcutaneous tissue caused by the rupture of one or more capillaries, often resulting from surgical trauma and characterized by a diameter greater than 1 cm. The assessment scale for ecchymosis is defined as follows: 0 = no color change, 1 = spot smaller than 4 cm in diameter, 2 = spot between 4 and 10 cm in diameter, 3 = spot larger than 10 cm in diameter.

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  9. Ecchymosis - 24 hours after treatment

    Ecchymosis refers to bleeding in the subcutaneous tissue caused by the rupture of one or more capillaries, often resulting from surgical trauma and characterized by a diameter greater than 1 cm. The assessment scale for ecchymosis is defined as follows: 0 = no color change, 1 = spot smaller than 4 cm in diameter, 2 = spot between 4 and 10 cm in diameter, 3 = spot larger than 10 cm in diameter.

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

  10. Ecchymosis -7 days after treatment

    Ecchymosis refers to bleeding in the subcutaneous tissue caused by the rupture of one or more capillaries, often resulting from surgical trauma and characterized by a diameter greater than 1 cm. The assessment scale for ecchymosis is defined as follows: 0 = no color change, 1 = spot smaller than 4 cm in diameter, 2 = spot between 4 and 10 cm in diameter, 3 = spot larger than 10 cm in diameter.

    Measured: 7 days after treatment

  11. Soft tissue healing - baseline

    Score 1: No opening along the incision line, no drainage (pus or exudate), no inflammation, and no pain. Score 2: No opening along the incision line, no drainage, mild swelling, and mild pain. Score 3: No opening along the incision line, active drainage, advanced inflammation, and moderate to severe pain. Score 4: Opening along the incision line, active drainage, advanced inflammation, and persistent pain.

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  12. Soft tissue healing - 24 hours after treatment

    Score 1: No opening along the incision line, no drainage (pus or exudate), no inflammation, and no pain. Score 2: No opening along the incision line, no drainage, mild swelling, and mild pain. Score 3: No opening along the incision line, active drainage, advanced inflammation, and moderate to severe pain. Score 4: Opening along the incision line, active drainage, advanced inflammation, and persistent pain.

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

  13. Soft tissue healing -7 days after treatment

    Score 1: No opening along the incision line, no drainage (pus or exudate), no inflammation, and no pain. Score 2: No opening along the incision line, no drainage, mild swelling, and mild pain. Score 3: No opening along the incision line, active drainage, advanced inflammation, and moderate to severe pain. Score 4: Opening along the incision line, active drainage, advanced inflammation, and persistent pain.

    Measured: 7 days after treatment

  14. Bone consolidation - baseline

    Bone consolidation will be assessed using periapical radiography to investigate two-dimensional changes in the bone defects. Consistent with the same equipment and employing the parallelism technique, periapical radiographs will be taken in the immediate preoperative period for comparative analysis with those taken at one and three months. The area of the defect will be determined by multiplying the longest mesiodistal and superoinferior diameters visible on the radiographs. On all radiographs, the longest diameter of the lesion will be measured. The periapical index will be determined, with the following interpretation: 0 = no lesion, 1 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 mm, 2 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 1.1 to 2 mm, 3 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 2.1 to 4 mm, 4 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 4.1 to 8 mm, and 5 = periapical radiolucency greater than 8.1 mm in diameter.

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  15. Bone consolidation - 1 month

    Bone consolidation will be assessed using periapical radiography to investigate two-dimensional changes in the bone defects. Consistent with the same equipment and employing the parallelism technique, periapical radiographs will be taken in the immediate preoperative period for comparative analysis with those taken at one and three months. The area of the defect will be determined by multiplying the longest mesiodistal and superoinferior diameters visible on the radiographs. On all radiographs, the longest diameter of the lesion will be measured. The periapical index will be determined, with the following interpretation: 0 = no lesion, 1 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 mm, 2 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 1.1 to 2 mm, 3 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 2.1 to 4 mm, 4 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 4.1 to 8 mm, and 5 = periapical radiolucency greater than 8.1 mm in diameter.

    Measured: 1 month

  16. Bone consolidation - 3 months

    Bone consolidation will be assessed using periapical radiography to investigate two-dimensional changes in the bone defects. Consistent with the same equipment and employing the parallelism technique, periapical radiographs will be taken in the immediate preoperative period for comparative analysis with those taken at one and three months. The area of the defect will be determined by multiplying the longest mesiodistal and superoinferior diameters visible on the radiographs. On all radiographs, the longest diameter of the lesion will be measured. The periapical index will be determined, with the following interpretation: 0 = no lesion, 1 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 0.5 to 1 mm, 2 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 1.1 to 2 mm, 3 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 2.1 to 4 mm, 4 = periapical radiolucency with a diameter of 4.1 to 8 mm, and 5 = periapical radiolucency greater than 8.1 mm in diameter.

    Measured: 3 months

  17. Local temperature - baseline

    Temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius and compared to the baseline temperature

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  18. Local temperature - 24 hours after treatment

    Temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius and compared to the baseline temperature

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

  19. Local temperature - 7 days after treatment

    Temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius and compared to the baseline temperature

    Measured: 7 days after treatment

  20. Sistemic temperature - baseline

    Temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius and compared to the baseline temperature in the glabela

    Measured: Baseline (Before the intervention)

  21. Sistemic temperature - 24 hours after treatment

    Temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius and compared to the baseline temperature in the glabela

    Measured: 24 hours after treatment

  22. Sistemic temperature - 7 days after treatment

    Temperature will be measured in degrees Celsius and compared to the baseline temperature in the glabela

    Measured: 7 days after treatment

Timeline

From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.

  1. First posted7 Jul 2023
  2. Study start30 Jun 2024
  3. Primary completion1 Sep 2025
  4. Study completion1 Dec 2025

Resources

More details

For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.

Study design
Study type
Interventional
Phase
Phase N/A
Primary purpose
Treatment
Allocation
Randomised
Intervention model
Parallel groups
Model description
This randomized, controlled, double-blind superiority clinical trial meets the criteria for designing a clinical trial in accordance with the SPIRIT Statement. It was accepted by Research Ethics Committee (CEP) of the Catholic University of Uruguay
Masking
Triple blind
Who is masked
Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
Enrolment
34 participants (actual)
IDs, dates and publications
ClinicalTrials.gov ID
NCT05935306
Sponsor's protocol ID
Pain after endodontic surgery
Status last verified
Jul 2026
First submitted
18 Jun 2023
Last updated
29 Jul 2026
Results posted
No
Data monitoring committee
No
FDA-regulated drug
No
FDA-regulated device
No
Individual data sharing
Yes: The datasets generated and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request

Publications

  • Cirisola RWC, Moya LEP, Olazabal MVG, Wagmann DAA, Suarez GP, Wince C, Bruno MLH, Salaberry DR, Sobral APT, Longo PL, Motta LJ, Bussadori SK, Duran CCG, Fernandes KPS, Mesquita-Ferrari RA, Horliana ACRT. Photobiomodulation for postoperative pain relief following conventional periapical surgery: a randomised controlled study protocol. BMJ Open. 2025 Nov 11;15(11):e089986. doi: 10.1136/bmjopen-2024-089986.

    PubMed 41218940

Questions about this trial

What is this clinical trial studying?

A study testing Ibuprofen, Photobiomodulation simulation and Photobiomodulation in people with Photobiomodulation and Endodontic Disease, run by University of Nove de Julho at 1 site in Uruguay.

The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.

Who may be eligible to take part?

The sponsor lists 5 inclusion and 5 exclusion criteria. Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.

Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?

The record says: finished, as of the sponsor's last update on 29 Jul 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.

Where is the study taking place?

The record lists 1 site in Uruguay. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.

What are the possible benefits and risks?

They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.

Are results available for this study?

The study is completed, but results are not available in the source record. That does not mean the treatment did or did not work.

How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?

The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.

What does the primary outcome measure?

Pain in postoperative period - baseline (time frame: Baseline (Before the intervention)). The study lists 2 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.

Where can I read the original study information?

On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT05935306, which also lists 1 linked publication.

Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?

No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.

How often is this information updated?

AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 29 Jul 2026.

Free account

Log in to keep searching

You’ve used your 3 free searches. AzTrials is free: log in or create a free account to keep searching clinical trials and save the ones you want to follow.

Create a free accountLog in