Does Low-Level Laser Therapy Enhance the Efficiency of Orthodontic Dental Alignment? Results from a Randomized Pilot Study

Abstract

The results of this pilot study suggest that the administration of LLLT might significantly increase the efficiency of orthodontic treatment during dental alignment.

Maxillary Orthodontic Expansion Assisted by Unilateral Alveolar Corticotomy and Low-Level Laser Therapy: A Novel Approach for Correction of a Posterior Unilateral Cross-Bite in Adults

“…In the present study, the greater expansion obtained on the crossbite side could also be attributed to the accelerated periodontal response induced by LLLT. 12,13,17 In this respect, it has been demonstrated that LLLT accelerates cellular turnover by increasing vascular activity and the availability of ATP, stimulates proliferation of osteoblasts, increases fibronectin and collagen I levels, and stimulates fibroblast growth and proliferation. [12][13][14]18,19 In the orthodontic field, the assumption is that such increased cellular metabolic activity can speed the rate of bone remodeling, as recently demonstrated by clinical trials.…”

“…12,13,17 In this respect, it has been demonstrated that LLLT accelerates cellular turnover by increasing vascular activity and the availability of ATP, stimulates proliferation of osteoblasts, increases fibronectin and collagen I levels, and stimulates fibroblast growth and proliferation. [12][13][14]18,19 In the orthodontic field, the assumption is that such increased cellular metabolic activity can speed the rate of bone remodeling, as recently demonstrated by clinical trials. 12,17 We installed the palatal expander on the same day of the surgical procedure, thus no latency period was planned between corticotomy and the beginning of orthodontic therapy.…”

“…[12][13][14]18,19 In the orthodontic field, the assumption is that such increased cellular metabolic activity can speed the rate of bone remodeling, as recently demonstrated by clinical trials. 12,17 We installed the palatal expander on the same day of the surgical procedure, thus no latency period was planned between corticotomy and the beginning of orthodontic therapy. This could have facilitated the expansion on the crossbite side according to previous studies suggesting the immediate application of orthodontic forces in order to guarantee adequate tooth movement prior to the beginning of the osteoblastic activity.…”

“…In this respect, low-level laser therapy (LLLT) represents a non-invasive method of accelerating orthodontic tooth movement, that acts through different molecular and cellular mechanisms. 12,13 LLLT has been shown to stimulate the growth and proliferation of osteoblasts and fibroblasts, to increase the levels of fibronectin and collagen-I levels and to increment RANK-L levels in the periodontal ligaments. [12][13][14] The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a new technique in the correction of the unilateral posterior crossbite in adult patients, which is based on orthodontic expansion assisted by corticotomy and LLLT on the affected side.…”

“…12,13 LLLT has been shown to stimulate the growth and proliferation of osteoblasts and fibroblasts, to increase the levels of fibronectin and collagen-I levels and to increment RANK-L levels in the periodontal ligaments. [12][13][14] The aim of the present study was to assess the effectiveness of a new technique in the correction of the unilateral posterior crossbite in adult patients, which is based on orthodontic expansion assisted by corticotomy and LLLT on the affected side. This technique combines the effect of lower bio-mechanical resistance induced by corticotomy and the biological accelerated response induced by LLLT in order to obtain greater expansion on the affected side compared to the unaffected side of subjects with a unilateral posterior crossbite.…”