PHOTO-BIO-MODULATION AND PATIENT’S COMPLIANCE WITH CLEAR ALIGNERS

P. Caccianiga and G. Caccianiga*

School of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milano-Bicocca, Monza, Italy

*Correspondence to:
Gianluigi Caccianiga, DDS
School of Medicine and Surgery,
University of Milano-Bicocca,
20900 Monza, Italy
e-mail: gianluigi.caccianiga@unimib.it

Received:  19  April  2023 Accepted: 26 May 2023

2038-4106(2023) Copyright © by BIOLIFE This publication and/or article is for individual use only and may not be further reproduced without written permission from the copyright holder. Unauthorized reproduction may result in financial and other penalties. Disclosure: all authors report no conflicts of interest relevant to this article.

ABSTRACT

Photobiomodulation (PBM) stimulates orthodontic tooth movements since it increases alveolar bone turnover. The aim of this study is to evaluate how PBM can influence orthodontic treatment with a clear aligner. A sample of 21 subjects was divided into a laser group (10 patients) and a control group (11 patients). All subjects were instructed to wear each clear aligner 12 hours a day for 2 weeks. PBM was given in the laser group every second week. The laser group successfully finished the treatment, while at the 3rd to the 5th aligner, the control group did not finish the treatment. Laser treatment is better than treatment without laser. PBM combined with aligners determines in 12 hours the same tooth movement obtained by wearing the aligner 22 hours a day. This aspect could be useful for those patients who prefer not to use the aligners during the day. PBM makes clear aligner treatment more comfortable since patients must wear the aligners for fewer hours than subjects treated orthodontically without laser.

KEYWORDS: photobiomodulation, low-level laser therapy, tooth movement, clear aligners, biostimulation, diode laser