Pain is a subjective phenomenon extremely difficult to generalise presenting itself in various forms, which motivate an individual more than any other life experience. It is a typical symptom seen during the initial stage of orthodontic treatment which leads to decreased acceptance and non compliance over the next few stages and ultimately may result in treatment interruption in a few. It is dependent upon a number of factors, such as gender, age, stress and the magnitude of orthodontic force applied. The mechanism of pain perception can be described by a number of theories as the specificity, intensity and the most importantly the gate control theory of pain. Many non pharmacological and pharmacological methods are being explored to determine ways to reduce the perception of pain. Low level laser therapy as a non pharmacological method came to view after the discovery of its biostimulatory effects in 1971. Low level laser therapy appears to produce photobiomodulation in the body and can reduce pain, quicken wound healing and exercise a positive effect on the inflammatory process, which is the core reason for pain during the initial phases of orthodontic treatment. Hence, low level laser therapy has a lot of scope in the field of orthodontics as one of the methods to improve patient compliance. The following study is literature review of the pain pathways and how low level laser therapy acts on them to inhibit the pain.
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