Low-level laser in orthodontics

[摘要] Introduction: recent years have witnessed a demand for ever shorter treatments in orthodontics.Treatment duration depends on diagnosis, case complexity, treatment plan, equipment,clinical experience and patient cooperation, among other factors, and generallyranges between 24 and 36 months. Some studies support the idea that low-levellaser speeds up orthodontic movement; however, the photobiomodulation mechanismsinvolved are clear.Objective:describe the evidence of low-level laser photobiomodulation in orthodontic movementand its mechanisms.Methods:a bibliographic review was conducted in MEDLINE, PubMed and SciELO about therelationship between low-level laser photobiomodulation in orthodontic movementand its mechanisms. The search was aimed at papers published in any languagemainly in the last five years. The topics consulted in the review had to dowith experiments on humans, animals and in vitro in which infrared lasers(780-820 nm) were used, since infrared absorption of hemoglobin is lower thanthat of visible red. Infrared lasers (780-820 nm) are the best to stimulatebone cells, because their wavelengths go deeper into soft tissue, reaching thebone.Results:details are provided about photobiomodulation and the modular bases of the useof this technique in orthodontics. Low-level laser speeds up orthodontic movement;however, a specific therapeutic window has not been determined for its dosimetryand mechanism of action in individual cell types.Conclusions:evidence suggests that low-level laser speeds up orthodontic movement. Clinicalevidence is still insufficient about the cellular mechanisms involved in orthodonticmovement when laser radiation is used.

[学科分类] 基础医学

[关键词] laser radiation;low-power light therapy;laser therapy.