IADR Abstract Archives
Effects of LLLT on periodontally compromised patients undergoing orthodontic retention
Objectives: This study aims to investigate the effects of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on periodontal and orthodontic outcomes in periodontally compromised patients undergoing one-year orthodontic retention.
Methods: A randomized, triple-blinded, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. Twenty-nine periodontally compromised patients who were about to start orthodontic retention with a standard regimen were included following the eligibility criteria. Teeth on one side of the dental arch were randomly allocated into the LLLT group and received repeated diode laser (940nm and 800mW) by a quadrant-size probe, while teeth on the contralateral side were allocated to the non-LLLT group and subject to pseudo-laser irradiation with identical settings. Periodontal and orthodontic outcomes were comprehensively assessed using clinical examination and CBCT. Clinical periodontal parameters and orthodontic results were assessed before (T0) and 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) after fixed-appliance removal. CBCT was taken before (T0) and after 12-month retention (T3) to examine the tooth and alveolar bone dimensions. The difference in clinical and radiographic variables between the two groups and various time points was conducted using independent sample t-tests and ANOVA, respectively.
Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference in pocket depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and alveolar bone dimensions between the LLLT and non-LLLT groups (p>0.05) in periodontally compromised patients during orthodontic retention. Also, no statistically significant difference was detected in anterior teeth crowding, semi-arch length, and root resorption between the two groups (p>0.05). However, the increase in CAL (0.12±0.62mm) and BOP (5.88±13.26%) from the baseline was significantly higher at T3 compared to T1 in the LLLT group (p<0.05).
Conclusions: LLLT may not provide additional benefits in periodontal and orthodontic outcomes for periodontally-compromised patients during orthodontic retention. These patients tend to experience a recurrence of periodontal inflammation after one year.
Methods: A randomized, triple-blinded, two-arm controlled trial was conducted. Twenty-nine periodontally compromised patients who were about to start orthodontic retention with a standard regimen were included following the eligibility criteria. Teeth on one side of the dental arch were randomly allocated into the LLLT group and received repeated diode laser (940nm and 800mW) by a quadrant-size probe, while teeth on the contralateral side were allocated to the non-LLLT group and subject to pseudo-laser irradiation with identical settings. Periodontal and orthodontic outcomes were comprehensively assessed using clinical examination and CBCT. Clinical periodontal parameters and orthodontic results were assessed before (T0) and 3 months (T1), 6 months (T2), and 12 months (T3) after fixed-appliance removal. CBCT was taken before (T0) and after 12-month retention (T3) to examine the tooth and alveolar bone dimensions. The difference in clinical and radiographic variables between the two groups and various time points was conducted using independent sample t-tests and ANOVA, respectively.
Results: The results showed that there was no significant difference in pocket depth (PD), gingival recession (GR), clinical attachment loss (CAL), bleeding on probing (BOP), and alveolar bone dimensions between the LLLT and non-LLLT groups (p>0.05) in periodontally compromised patients during orthodontic retention. Also, no statistically significant difference was detected in anterior teeth crowding, semi-arch length, and root resorption between the two groups (p>0.05). However, the increase in CAL (0.12±0.62mm) and BOP (5.88±13.26%) from the baseline was significantly higher at T3 compared to T1 in the LLLT group (p<0.05).
Conclusions: LLLT may not provide additional benefits in periodontal and orthodontic outcomes for periodontally-compromised patients during orthodontic retention. These patients tend to experience a recurrence of periodontal inflammation after one year.