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Effectiveness of photobiomodulation with low-level lasers on the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of split-mouth randomised clinical trials

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Abstract

Although several studies have evaluated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on orthodontic movement acceleration, results are still inconsistent. Such inconsistencies may be attributed to the differences in the LLLT application protocols, especially in terms of wavelength ranges. Objective: (i) to assess the clinical effects of LLLT on the acceleration of orthodontic movement and (ii) to establish the most effective LLLT wavelength to accelerate tooth movement during orthodontic treatments. MEDLINE (PubMed), Scopus, ScienceDirect, and LILACS were searched from inception to October 2022. Inclusion criteria: Split-mouth randomised clinical trials (RCTs) on systemically healthy patients reporting the effect of LLLT in accelerating orthodontic movements, specifically retraction of canines. The risk of bias was assessed using RoB-2. A random effect model was applied. Nineteen RCTs met the inclusion criteria for qualitative synthesis, and eighteen RCTs were included in the quantitative synthesis. Seventeen studies were rated as at some concerns of bias and two studies were classified as having a low risk of bias. In general terms, this systematic review and meta-analysis presents a moderate risk of bias. Findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis point to a tendency for faster orthodontic dental movement in the groups receiving LLLT treatment during the first (OR of 0.28 95% CI (0.07 to 0.48)), second (OR of 0.52 95% CI (0.31 to 0.73)), and third (OR of 0.41 95% CI (0.03 to 0.79)) month follow-up. Wavelengths ≤ 810 nm and energy density values ≤ 5.3 J/cm2 were associated with faster orthodontic tooth movement.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laser Dentistry Master Program, European Program EMDOLA, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain

    Marggie Grajales

  2. Research Department COC-CICO, Institución Universitaria Colegios de Colombia UNICOC, Km 20, Autonorte I-55, Chía, 250008, Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Colombia

    Nestor Ríos-Osorio, Oscar Jimenez-Peña & Juan Mendez-Sanchez

  3. Department of Bio-Clinical Research, Faculty of Dentistry, Universidad El Bosque, Bogotá, Colombia

    Kelly Sanchez-Fajardo

  4. Division of Urology/Urooncology, Department of Surgery, School of Medicine, Universidad del Valle, Cali, Colombia

    Herney Andrés García-Perdomo

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Contributions

Conceptualisation: MG. Methodology: NR and OJ. Search strategy and article selection: MG and KS. Data extraction: MG and JM. Qualitative synthesis: OJ. Quantitative synthesis: HA. Risk of bias assessment: OJ. Formal analysis: MG, NR, and HA. Writing: NR, JM, and MG. Supervision of the manuscript: NR and MG.

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Correspondence to Nestor Ríos-Osorio.

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Grajales, M., Ríos-Osorio, N., Jimenez-Peña, O. et al. Effectiveness of photobiomodulation with low-level lasers on the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement: a systematic review and meta-analysis of split-mouth randomised clinical trials. Lasers Med Sci 38, 200 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10103-023-03870-7

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