The Effects of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Orthodontic Tooth Movement: Metrical and Immunological Investigation

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of low-level laser therapy on orthodontic tooth movement via metrical measurements and assessment of expressions of PGE2 and IL-1in gingival crevicular fluid. Materials and Methods: The study was consisted of fifteen patients had undergone two or four first premolar extraction treatment. After aligning of dental arches, canine distalization was performed. The right canines of the patients were included in lased experimental group and the left canines were included in control group. An 820 nm Ga-Al-As diode laser with an output power of 100 mW was used for laser treatment (focal spot: 0.2826 cm2; exposure duration: 15s; energy density: 5.3 J/cm2). For evaluation of quantities of signified mediators, fluid was collected from the distobuccal and distopalatinal gingival crevice of teeth before, one hour and 48 hour after orthodontic force load. Results: The statistical analysis of the metrical findings of tooth movement did not represent any significant difference between groups. The levels of PGE2 and IL-1 did not show any difference between experimental and control groups at any time of observation. Conclusion: Low-level laser therapy with the irradiation parameters and protocol used in this study was not found effective in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement.