Efficiency of low-level laser therapy for orthodontic tooth movement: a review

Purpose: Orthodontic treatment can last between 2 and 3 years. These long treatment times can significantly decrease patient cooperation and yield adverse effects. This review aimed to evaluate the clinical effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on the acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement. Materials and methods: We searched the Cochrane Library, PubMed, and EMBASE and included only studies evaluating the effect of LLLT on orthodontic human tooth movement, according to inclusion criteria. Results: We included thirteen studies (three controlled clinical trials [CCTs], five randomized clinical trials [RCTs], and five systematic reviews or meta-analyses). Six of the eight clinical trials showed a statistically significant effect on orthodontic tooth movement toward a low-level laser application. Conclusion: Comparison between studies is difficult because of parameter variability (anchorage, orthodontic appliances, wavelength, and other laser parameters); however, LLLT may be an interesting method to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. The highest-level studies show that LLLT can accelerate orthodontic movements, but other research must be pursued. This review of the literature seems to suggest concentrating future research regarding the relationship between LLLT and orthodontic tooth movement on wavelengths in infrared radiation approximately 780–810 nm, with a fluence of approximately 5 J/cm2. © 2017, Springer International Publishing AG.