Evaluación de los cambios en la densidad ósea cortical mandibular mediante CBCT durante la ortodoncia acelerada con...

Accelerated orthodontics using adjunctive methods, like low-level laser therapy (LLLT), has shown promise in enhancing tooth movement rates. However, the impact of LLLT on mandibular cortical bone density during orthodontic treatment remains unclear.

A prospective randomized controlled study was conducted on 40 orthodontic patients (aged between 18 and 30 years), divided equally into LLLT (intervention) and control groups. All patients underwent fixed orthodontic treatment. The LLLT group received diode laser irradiation (808 nm, 100 mW, 8 J/cm²) on the mandibular alveolar bone on alternate days for the first month. CBCT scans were obtained at baseline (T0) and after 12 weeks (T1). Cortical bone density was measured at the mandibular first molar and canine regions using grayscale values.

At T1, the LLLT group showed a significant reduction in cortical bone density compared to baseline (first molar: 935.2 ± 54.6 HU to 879.5 ± 62.1 HU, P = 0.004; canine: 918.7 ± 50.4 HU to 864.3 ± 58.9 HU, P = 0.006). In contrast, the control group exhibited minimal, nonsignificant changes (first molar: 940.1 ± 52.8 HU to 928.4 ± 57.6 HU, P = 0.148; canine: 920.5 ± 51.1 HU to 910.7 ± 55.3 HU, P = 0.217). Intergroup comparison at T1 showed significantly lower bone density in the LLLT group at both sites (P < 0.05).

LLLT during orthodontic treatment significantly reduces mandibular cortical bone density, potentially facilitating accelerated tooth movement. CBCT proves to be a reliable tool for assessing bone changes in vivo.