Efficacy of low-intensity laser therapy in accelerating the rate of orthodontic tooth movement - A clinical investigation

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the effect of low intensity laser on the rate of mandibular first molar protraction.To compare the rate of tooth movement using friction mechanics and low intensity laser.METHODOLOGY: Ten orthodontic patients in whom alignment and leveling was completed and treatment protocol warrants lower second premolars extraction were selected. A split mouth design was used in the study. A Diode laser of 810nm, in contact mode, with an output of 200mW was exposed for 10 seconds on 0, 3rd, 7th and 15th day of first month and 15thday of second and third month.Impressions were taken before and after three months of laser application and dental models were poured. Calculation of space was done on the dental models by using digital calipers. Descriptive statistics like mean and standard deviation were calculated to every group. Paired and Unpaired t-tests were analyzed for intra-group and inter-group respectively. RESULTS: Diode laser group had showed an overall 29% increased efficiency of mandibular molar protraction when compared with Non-Laser group (friction mechanics) with a statistically significant difference (p<0.029).CONCLUSION: Diode laser had showed increased efficiency compared to the Non-Laser group (friction mechanics) in protracting the mandibular molars.Hence consideration can be given for the use of Low level laser in Photobiomodulation(PBM) mode for increase the orthodontic tooth movement purpose on case basis in future.