Low-Level Light Therapy in Orthodontic Treatment: A Systematic Review

Abstract

This current review aims to provide an overview of the most recent research from the last 10 years on the potential of low-level light therapy (LLLT) in the orthodontic field, particularly focusing on studies about tooth movement, root resorption, pain perception during treatment, and the stability of orthodontic miniscrews. “Low-level laser,” “orthodontic,” and “LLLT” were the search terms utilized on the databases Scopus, Web of Science, and PubMed, and the Boolean operator “AND” was utilized. Of the 974 studies found, 41 publications related to our topic were included in this review. Many authors agree that LLLT could trigger an enhanced biological reaction next to the tooth in the periodontium, promoting osteoblast proliferation and differentiation, while it could also have a positive impact on bone regeneration and on increasing the rate of tooth movement, enhancing the stability of miniscrews and minimizing the occurrence of root resorption. Regarding pain management during treatment studies, the results have been controversial. Conclusions: even though further studies are still needed, the use of LLLT can improve both clinical results and patient comfort during treatment by reducing treatment duration, improving clinical aspects, such as miniscrew stability, and minimizing root resorption. Further investigations are needed to assess whether LLLT offers any real benefits regarding pain relief.

Photobiomodulation in Orthodontics: Mechanisms and Clinical Efficacy for Faster Tooth Movement

“…Despite the advantages, the application of PBM in orthodontics is met with several challenges. The absence of standardized treatment protocols is a primary limitation, introducing variability in treatment parameters and outcomes [28,[42][43][44][45][46]. This variability is compounded by individual differences in response to PBM, which can hinder the development of universal treatment guidelines [28].…”

“…Moreover, the effective utilization of PBM devices requires specific clinician training to prevent potential misuse or excessive use, which could lead to tissue damage. Another significant barrier to the widespread adoption of PBM is the cost of laser equipment, which, along with the need for intensive safety training, may limit accessibility for some practices and patients [24,25,[38][39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46].…”