The effect of intra-oral LED device and low-level laser therapy on orthodontic tooth movement in young adults: A randomized controlled trial

Abstract

Introduction: This randomized controlled clinical trial aimed to assess the effect of LED⁵ and LLLT⁶ in a three-arm parallel setting.

Methods: Sixty patients who needed the maxillary first premolar extraction were allocated to three groups using the stratified block randomization method. In the LED group, a custom-made device with a wavelength of 640nm and a power density of 40 mW/cm² was used 5min/day. In the laser group, Ga Al As⁷ laser with a wavelength of 810nm and a power of 100 mW was used on days 0, 3, 30, and 60 each time for 18seconds. Patients in the control group received placebo treatment as the laser group protocol, using a coated light cure device. Models were made at baseline and monthly until the end of the retraction. The rate of canine retraction was the primary outcome, while canine rotation and pain were secondary outcomes. The final data were anonymous for the outcome assessor and statistical consultant. Data were analyzed per protocol using a linear mixed model.

Results: The rate of canine retraction significantly increased by 60.8% in the laser group, while it increased not significantly by 26% in the LED group compared with the control group. There was no significant difference among the groups in terms of tooth rotation and pain.

Conclusions: LLLT can accelerate orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). LED with the present setting couldn't increase the rate of OTM. LLLT and LED did not affect canine rotation or pain.

Trial registration: IRCT20120220009086N4. On 1 June 2019 was retrospectively registered.

Keywords: Accelerated orthodontics; Laser therapy; Low-level light therapy; Orthodontic space closure; Phototherapy; Tooth movement.