Abstract
Aim of the study: evaluation of the Low-Level Laser Therapy (LLLT) efficacy to accelerate maxillary canine retraction rate.
Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 15 female patients (18-25 years old) with need to extraction of the maxillary first premolars and subsequent canine retraction. All patients were randomly allocated to either right side experimental (receive infrared radiation from a semiconductor diode laser with a wavelength of 910 nm) or control, the left sides were assigned to the alternative intervention. The low level laser was applied in first day, third day and after fourteen days of canine retraction and then on every two weeks until complete canine retraction on one side was achieved. Bilaterally, canine retraction was performed with closed-coil nickel-titanium springs that applied 150 g of force on each side. Laser and control sides were compared in canine movement rate, the amount of anchorage loss, maxillary canine tip, torque, rotation and root resorption, and maxillary first molar tip during canine retraction.
Results: Canine rates were statistically greater in the sides irradiated with laser. Anchorage loss was statistically less in Laser side. There was no difference in canine tip, torque and root length, and molar tip between two sides.
Conclusions: Low level laser therapy, with the described parameters, is considered as an effective method for accelerating orthodontic tooth movement without loading the anchor unit.