Impact of Photobiomodulation during Root Canal Treatment on Oral Health-Related Quality of Life: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Objective: To evaluate the impact of endodontic treatment with photobiomodulation on oral health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Material and Methods: Seventy participants with single-rooted teeth and a diagnosis of asymptomatic apical periodontitis were selected and randomized into two groups: control group (CG, n = 35), root canal treatment without additional treatment, and experimental group (EG, n = 35), root canal treatment associated with antimicrobial photodynamic therapy and low-level laser therapy. OHRQoL was assessed using the Oral Health Impact Profile Questionnaire (OHIP-14) at baseline and 7 and 30 days after treatment. Data were subjected to Wilcoxon, Mann-Whitney tests, and linear regression using the generalized estimating equation model, using the Statistical Package for Social Science software with a significance level of 5%. Results: No statistically significant differences were found between groups regarding sociodemographic and clinical characteristics (p>0.05). There was also no difference in the OHRQoL between the CG and EG (p>0.05). However, there was a statistical difference in OHIP-14 scores between baseline and the 7- and 30-day follow-up intervals in both groups for all domains (p<0.05). Conclusion: Root canal treatment, with or without photobiomodulation, significantly improved the OHRQoL of participants after 7 and 30 days of treatment.