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Comparative assessment of the rate of maxillary canine retraction using micro-osteoperforation and low-level laser
Maris Urumeese1, Azhar Mohammed2, Ravi M S3
1Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics, AB Shetty Memorial Institute of Dental Sciences, NITTE (Deemed to be University), Mangalore, Dakshina Kannada, India. marismarch01@gmail.com.
Objectives:
To measure and compare the canine retraction (CR) and molar mesial migration (MMM) rates using micro-osteoperforation (MOP) and low-level laser therapy (LLLT).
Materials And Methods:
This randomized split-mouth study included 20 patients. Following premolar extractions and levelling, the maxillary arch was divided into the right and left halves: group A received MOPs (performed once at T0), and group B underwent LLLT using a gallium-aluminum-arsenide diode laser (810 nm, 100 mW, continuous mode), applied biweekly for 3 months around the canine region. Segmental CR was performed with NiTi coil springs (150 g) using mini-implant anchorage. Digital scans at T0 (baseline), T1 (45 days), and T2 (90 days) were analyzed using three-dimensional (3D) software. Retraction rate was calculated as distance moved per time (mm/day).
Results:
The CR rate was significantly higher in the MOP group (0.03297 ± 0.0092 mm/day) than in the LLLT group (0.01865 ± 0.0070 mm/day, p = 0.000). The MOP group showed a decline from T1 (0-45 days; 0.03297 ± 0.0092 mm/day) to T2 (45-90 days; 0.02245 ± 0.0071 mm/day). MMM was higher in the LLLT group (0.00239 ± 0.0007 mm/day) than in the MOP group (0.00189 ± 0.0006 mm/day) but had a negligible impact on total space closure. The rate of retraction in the MOP group was 1.77 times faster, making it the primary contributor to space closure.
Conclusion:
MOP significantly accelerated orthodontic tooth movement compared to LLLT across all time intervals with minimal MMM and few adverse effects on the molars.
