Low-intensity laser therapy has been proposed as a method to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement and reduce overall treatment duration. In this randomized clinical and radiographic trial, researchers evaluated how applying a low-level laser influences both the speed of orthodontic tooth repositioning and the integrity of dental tissues during treatment.
Unlike traditional mechanical approaches—where forces are applied through devices such as brackets, wires, and even the occasional dental handpiece used for adjustments—low-intensity laser therapy provides a non-mechanical adjunct that may affect cellular activity in periodontal tissues.
Study Design and Methods
Eleven patients presenting with Class I malocclusion requiring extraction of first premolars participated in the study. Each patient’s maxillary and mandibular canines underwent one of two conditions:
- Laser-assisted retraction: Using a gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser emitting at 780 nm, clinicians applied low-intensity laser irradiation once monthly during the retraction phase.
- Control side: The contralateral canine received no laser exposure and followed standard orthodontic mechanics.
Patients were treated until canine retraction was completed. Serial periapical radiographs measured tooth displacement and evaluated potential effects on root and alveolar bone structures.
Results
After completion of the treatment period:
- There was no statistically significant difference in the rate of tooth movement between the laser-treated side and the non-treated side.
- Radiographic analysis revealed no increased root resorption or deleterious impact on supporting alveolar bone adjacent to the irradiated teeth.
Endodontic Files: Essential Instruments in Root Canal Therapy
Root canal treatment — also known as endodontic therapy — is a dental procedure designed to remove infected pulp and shape the root canal system before obturation. Instruments used in this process include a variety of endodontic files, which are thin, flexible tools utilized to clean and prepare the canal system.
Types and Functions of Endodontic Files
In endodontics, files come in many shapes, sizes, and materials to match different anatomical complexities of root canals. These include:
- Hand Files – Traditional manual files like K-Files and H-Files made from stainless steel or NiTi that provide tactile feedback for canal exploration, cleaning, and shaping.
- Rotary Files – Engine-driven NiTi files that are used with endodontic motors for efficient root canal shaping with improved flexibility and reduced risk of procedural errors.
- Reciprocating Systems – Files that operate with alternating clockwise and counterclockwise motion to improve cutting performance and decrease the risk of file separation.
- Specialized Files – Such as glide path files and retreatment files that serve defined clinical roles in complex endodontic situations.
Correct selection and use of these files are essential to achieving thorough debridement and shaping of the canal without damage to tooth structure.
Conclusions
This clinical trial indicates that, within the tested protocol, low-intensity laser therapy does not enhance the speed of orthodontic tooth movement relative to conventional mechanics. Furthermore, it does not compromise dental structures, which is relevant when considering adjunctive tools and procedures—including those involving devices like the dental handpiece—that can mechanically affect teeth during orthodontic adjustments.
Integrating lasers into orthodontic practice remains an area of ongoing investigation, especially as clinicians explore ways to combine technological innovation with established mechanical procedures safely and effectively.
