Effect of Low-level Laser Therapy on Orthodontic Tooth Movement
Condition: Low Level Laser Therapy
Study type: Interventional

Summary: 
      The objective of this trial is to investigate the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on
      orthodontic tooth movement during maxillary molar distalization over 12-week observation
      period.
    

Detailed description: 
      The duration of orthodontic treatment may be prolonged depending on many factors such as the
      ratio of bone remodeling, the tooth anchorage, the type of applied mechanics, patient
      cooperation, and the necessity of keeping the applied forces during the treatment within
      physiological limits.1-7 Prolonged treatment might affect the psychosocial status of the
      patient and might lead to a decrease in the level of patient cooperation, and increase the
      risk of developing a pathological incident such as dental caries, periodontal diseases,
      alveolar bone resorption and root resorption due to insufficient oral hygiene.8-10 Increasing
      the intensity of the applied force in an attempt to accelerate tooth movement will cause
      closure of the blood vessels, and necrosis in the periodontal ligament, and will lead to
      inhibition of any cellular activity, which is also known as hyalinization.3-7 Various
      approaches such as local-systemic drug administration, mechanical-physical stimulations, and
      surgically-assisted approaches aimed at reducing the resistance of periodontal tissues
      against tooth movement and the effect of changing environmental factors have been developed
      to accelerate tooth movement and shorten the treatment period without increasing the
      intensity of the orthodontic force.2 LLLT (low-level laser therapy ) is one of the methods
      used for tooth movement therapy. Due to its non-invasive nature, safety, accessibility and
      bio-stimulating effects, LLLT is considered to be a promising tool for the future of
      dentistry.10 LLLT is currently being used to help speed up the ratio of bone formation in the
      suture after rapid maxillary expansion,18 reduce pain after orthodontic activation,19-21 and
      accelerate tooth movement19-32 in orthodontic clinical practices. In the literature, many of
      the experimental and clinical studies conducted to accelerate tooth movement by using the
      bio-stimulating effect of laser have demonstrated that tooth movement can be accelerated with
      LLLT.20-26 When compared with the previously mentioned approaches, no study has yet been
      found reporting any negative systemic effects of LLLT so far. It has been stated that there
      is a need for clinical trials to investigate the effects of non-invasive approaches that have
      the potential to accelerate tooth movement in different dentoalveolar regions.33 In this
      context, no previous study examined the effects of LLLT on maxillary molar distalization
      using a miniscrew-supported intraoral appliance. The aim of this study is to examine the
      contribution and effects of LLLT on orthodontic tooth movement during maxillary molar
      distalization using a miniscrew-supported intraoral appliance when compared with the control
      group.
    

Intervention name(s): Low Level Laser therapy
Intervention type(s): Device
Intervention description(s): The participants in the intervention group experienced a total of 7 session laser applications on their randomly determined molar region during the 12-week clinical trial period.
Allocation: Randomized
Intervention model: Parallel Assignment
Intervention model description: A clinical trial with experimental and control groups
Masking: Single (Outcomes Assessor)
Primary purpose: Treatment
Keywords: Accelerated orthodontic tooth movement; Biostimulation; Molar distalization; Humans