ASSESSMENT OF LOW LEVEL LASER THERAPY ON RATE OF THE MAXILLARY INCISOR INTRUSION IN TREATMENT OF ADULT PATIENTS WITH GUMMY SMILE: A RANDOMIZED CLINICAL STUDY

Abstract

The current study was a Randomized Controlled Trial (RCT) that was performed to evaluate the effect of low level laser therapy on the rate of maxillary incisor intrusion in adult patients having deep bite associated with gummy smile. Materials and Methods: 24 patients having gummy smile associated with deep bite were enrolled in the study (mean age of 20.4 years). Patients were randomly allocated to one of two intervention groups. Both groups received fixed orthodontic treatment with preadjusted edgewise brackets, segmented levelling and alignment was carried out in upper arch until 17 X 25 STST-inch wire. Additionally, two miniscrew implants (MSI) were inserted between the maxillary lateral incisor and canines, then a total intrusive force of 100 grams was applied and checked with force gauge. “Group A” received LLLT during intrusion while “Group B” was the comparator with no LLLT application. LLLT was applied on day of force application, then days 7, 14, 21,28,42,56 and continued for 2 weeks till the end of follow up period (6 months). Results: The monthly rate of intrusion showed no statistically or clinically significant difference between both groups through the different follow up months with mean rates of 0.7 mm/month and 0.66 mm/month for laser and non-laser groups respectively. Conclusion: Low level laser therapy with the parameters used had no acceleratory effect on the rate of maxillary incisor intrusion.