Evaluation of the Effects of Low Level Laser on the Root Resorption During the Retention Phase After the Orthodontic Treatment a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Abstract

Objective & Aim: The aim of this study was to compare the radiographic changes on the teeth roots during the retention phase after the orthodontic treatment who undergo various fixed and removable retention methods, in addition to evaluating the effect of Low Level Laser LLL application on the periapical resorption .

Materials & Methods: a total of 54 patients who had completed a successful straightening and alignment orthodontic treatment were randomly allocated to 3 retention groups to receive either  bonded Retainers BRs, Vacuum Formed Retainers VFRs, or VFRs with LLL application. A continuous wavelength (Ga-Al-As) semi conductor laser was applied in the third group with a wavelength of (808) nm in a special protocol. The periapical resorption was assessed using Remington index at two time points; at the beginning and after one year of the retention period. Results: The average of the periapical resorption index increased in the whole sample after one year of retention; however, this rise was not statistically nor clinically significant. Paired Samples T test showed that the P  value was greater than 0.05 which means that there were no statistically significant differences in the average of the periapical resorption between the study times for all the three retention appliances.

Results of the One Way ANOVA test showed no significant differences between the retention protocols in terms of the average value of the periapical resorption.

Conclusions: The change in the average of the dental periapical resorption during the retention phase, regardless to the type of the retention appliance used, is not statistically nor clinically significant. Most of the resorption observed in one year of retention is caused by the forces applied in the effective orthodontic treatment. There is no evidence of any influence of the type of retention protocol, whether it was bonded or removable, as well as the application of LLL laser on the periapical resorption rate during the retention stage.