Background The continuous increase in demand for reduced treatment times has led researchers to think in terms of "accelerated orthodontics." Generally, the duration for fixed orthodontic treatment is around two to three years. Prolonged use of braces leads to external root resorption, a high risk of caries, and decreased patient compliance. Therefore, finding an optimal supplementary approach to achieve faster tooth movement is still considered a subject of interest. Low-intensity laser therapy (LILT) is one of the non-invasive surgical techniques in the field of accelerated orthodontics. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has demonstrated faster healing, less bleeding, and biostimulation and anti-inflammatory effects. According to all studies, it accelerates tooth movement, thereby reducing braces treatment time. It is simple, safe, and minimally invasive. Despite these pieces of evidence, studies have shown variable findings in low-level laser therapy. This study evaluates the effect of LLLT on accelerated orthodontics in comparison with conventional canine retraction. An aluminum gallium arsenide-type diode laser with a wavelength of 940 nm has been used in this study. Methodology This study was conducted using the split-mouth method, which included 20 patients with permanent dentition who required first premolar extractions. A miniscrew implant was placed on both the right and left sides for maximum anchorage. Irradiation doses were applied on days 0, 3, 7, and 14 of the first month. Subsequently, irradiations were given every 15 days until the canine's retraction was complete in the test group. Results The study results three months after the canine retraction in the test and control groups (M1) were 0.81 ± 0.03 mm/month and 0.74 ± 0.04 mm/month, respectively, indicating a significantly higher rate of canine retraction in the test group than in the control group (P < 0.0001). The average increase in the amount of tooth movement at three months was 40.1% and 36.3% in the test and control groups, respectively. However, the average increase in the amount of movement of teeth following canine retraction was 100% in the test group and 68.2% in the control group. There were significant variations in the pain score between Day 1 and Day 3 (P = 0.003) in the test group; however, there was no analytic variation in the pain score between Day 1 and Day 30 in the test group (P = 0.18). The pain score between Day 3 and Day 30 was significantly lower. Conclusions It was concluded that the rate of canine retraction increases when it is combined with LILT-assisted accelerated orthodontics in comparison to conventional canine retraction. Although LLLT does not provide immediate pain relief, it relieves the sensation of pain after 24-72 hours. LILT is an innovative, non-invasive technique that allows rapid orthodontic tooth movement. The rate of canine retraction increases when it is combined with LILT-assisted accelerated orthodontics in comparison to conventional canine retraction using mini-implants.
Keywords: accelerated orthodontics; analgesics; biomodulation; low-intensity laser therapy; photo-biomodulation.
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