Effect of photobiomodulation therapies on the root resorption associated with orthodontic forces: a pilot study using...

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of photobiomodulation therapies on root resorption compared with the placebo group.

Thirty patients who were admitted to the Gaziantep University Faculty of Dentistry Orthodontics Department for treatment, with an indication of upper right first premolar tooth extraction were included. Before the individuals' orthodontic treatment, 0.022 slot MBT brackets and tubes were placed on the maxillary first premolar and molar. A 150-g buccal tipping force was applied to the first premolar. Cantilever spring with 0.017 × 0.025 Beta Titanium wire was used for force application. Individuals were then randomly divided into three groups. For the first group, laser application was performed with an 810-nm GaAlAs laser device at 0, 3, 7, 14, 21, and 28 days to 8 J/cm². For the second group, an LED application according to the manufacturer's instructions with an 850-nm wavelength and 20 mW/cm² output power for 10 min per day during the experiment. For the third group, a placebo therapy was completed whereby a laser device that did not make active pulses was used. At the end of 4 weeks, the amount of root surface resorption was compared using micro-CT imaging after the extraction of the teeth.

No significant difference was found between the groups in terms of regional and total crater volumes. It was observed that photobiomodulation therapies were not different from the control group in terms of forming root resorption.

It is seen that laser and LED photobiomodulation therapies used for accelerate orthodontic tooth movement do not differ from the control group in terms of forming root resorption.

According to the results of this pilot study on this subject, which needs to be clarified with new findings in the future, LED and laser applications may not increase the risk for root resorption.