The Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Accelerating Tooth Movement and Reducing Pain During Orthodontic Treatment

Overview

Orthodontic treatment is a common and effective approach to correcting dental malocclusions and improving oral function and aesthetics. The process involves applying mechanical forces to move teeth into their desired positions, which can lead to discomfort and pain for patients, especially during the initial stages of treatment. While the ultimate goal of orthodontic therapy is to achieve proper alignment, the associated pain and the time required to complete the treatment often become significant concerns for patients. (Jheon et al., 2017). The duration of treatment, which typically spans several months or even years, is influenced by various factors including the type of malocclusion, the force applied, and the biological response of the periodontal tissues to the applied forces. (Sangle et al., 2023). Recent advancements in orthodontic care have focused on finding ways to accelerate tooth movement while minimizing the discomfort experienced by patients. Low-level laser therapy (LLLT), also known as photobiomodulation (PBM), has garnered significant attention as a non-invasive method to enhance biological healing processes. LLLT has been shown to stimulate cellular activity, increase collagen production, and improve blood circulation, potentially influencing the rate of tooth movement (Fini et al., 2020). Several studies suggest that LLLT may enhance the osteoclast and osteoblast activity in the periodontal tissues, leading to more rapid bone resorption and apposition, which could expedite the tooth movement process (Suzuki et al., 2016). Additionally, LLLT has been shown to reduce pain perception, possibly by modulating nerve activity and inflammation (Guo et al., 2021).

Interventions

• Procedure Low level laser therapy
  All participants will receive standard orthodontic treatment using appliances. The type of tooth movement studied will include, (e.g., canine retraction, molar distalization). Orthodontic adjustments will be performed at intervals (e.g., every 4 weeks) by a single calibrated orthodontist to ensure consistency of force application. Force magnitude will be monitored using (e.g., strain gauges, force measuring devices) at each adjustment The LLLT group will receive laser treatment using a Ga-As-Al

Primary outcome measures

• tooth movement measurement [Time frame: Tooth Movement Measurement • Method: Cephalometric radiographs will be taken at baseline, 4 weeks, and 8 weeks to assess tooth movement. Linear measurements will be made between specific cephalometric landmarks by a calibrated and blinded examiner using]

Secondary outcome measures (1)

• pain assessment [Time frame: Timing: Pain is assessed at baseline (before treatment) and at 6 hours, 24 hours, 3 days, 7 days, and 14 days after the application of orthodontic force and LLLT/sham irr]

Eligibility criteria

Inclusion criteria

• Patients aged 15-30 years requiring fixed orthodontic treatment.

• Extraction treatment plan with bilateral canine retraction.
• Good oral hygiene and periodontal health.
• No systemic diseases or medications affecting bone metabolism.

Exclusion criteria

• Previous orthodontic treatment.

• Smoking or alcohol consumption.
• Pregnancy or lactation.
• Use of analgesics or anti-inflammatory drugs during the study period.

Criteria are shown verbatim from the registry (in English). Final eligibility is always assessed by the study center.

Healthy volunteers: Yes

Study design

Allocation

Randomized

Model

Parallel assignment

Masking

Double blind

Primary purpose

Treatment

Study locations

Center list to be confirmed — check the primary protocol.

Identifiers

NCT: NCT07591948 · (OR:06/05/2025)

Primary sources (government registries)

• ClinicalTrials.gov (US NIH)

View this study on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗