Effect of Photobiomodulation on Maxillary Decrowding and Root Resorption: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Purpose The effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) with light-emitting diode (LED) delivery (Biolux OrthoPulse® device) were tested for no differences from sham-controlled conventional orthodontics in maxillary anterior alignment treatment efficiency and maxillary central incisor root resorption after 6 months of treatment. Materials and Methods Two prospective clinical trial samples were matched for pretreatment irregularity index with (n = 14) and without (n = 12) photobiomodulation therapy (850 nm wavelength, 0.065 J/cm2, 5 min per-arch-per-day) and examined every 2 weeks for reduction of irregularity index to <1 mm. The sham control sample was provided with LED devices that did not deliver infrared light. Standardized periapical radiographs of maxillary central incisors were compared at initial and 6 months of treatment. Results Photobiomodulation resolved maxillary anterior crowding with 35.2% greater efficiency (41.0 vs. 63.3 days, P = 0.028) at nearly double the tooth movement rate-per-week (1.02 vs. 62 mm/week, P = 0.045). Mean maxillary central incisor root lengths were significantly shorter at the 6-month treatment interval after LLLT (19.63 vs. 20.85 mm, P = 0.021). Conclusions LED photobiomodulation therapy at 850 nm wavelength resulted in 1.7X more rapid maxillary anterior alignment.