Low-Level Laser Sped Canine Retraction in Adult Split-Mouth Orthodontic Trial

Posted: November 13, 2026

Low-Level Laser Sped Canine Retraction in Adult Split-Mouth Orthodontic Trial

Edited by Orthotown staff

Low-level laser therapy increased the rate of maxillary canine distalization in adults, according to a split-mouth randomized clinical trial published Nov. 10 in Clinical Oral Investigations.

The trial enrolled 30 adults aged 18 to 35 who needed maxillary first premolar extractions and canine distalization. Laser therapy at 980 nm and 1,000 mW, for 15 seconds per point, was applied to one side of the arch immediately after appliance activation and every two weeks for four months. The other side served as the control.

After four months, canines on the laser side had moved 4.95 ± 0.64 mm, compared with 3.79 ± 0.56 mm on the control side (P < .001).

Researchers also measured bone remodeling biomarkers in gingival crevicular fluid before activation and 14 days after. Osteocalcin rose significantly from baseline on laser-treated sides (mean difference, 0.251 ng/mL; P < .0001) but not on control sides. N-telopeptide levels were higher on laser-treated sides than on control sides, at 1.374 vs. 1.169 ng/mL (P < .0001).

The authors concluded that the laser enhanced bone remodeling by stimulating both bone formation and resorption, accelerating tooth movement, and described it as a promising adjunct for reducing treatment time.

Lumini?a Lazar, Eugen Bud, and colleagues at George Emil Palade University of Medicine, Pharmacy, Science, and Technology of Targu Mures and Grigore T. Popa University of Medicine and Pharmacy in Iasi, Romania, conducted the trial. The Targu Mures university funded the work, and the authors declared no competing interests.

The abstract reports canine movement over four months and does not report total treatment duration.

Sources:
Clinical Oral Investigations, “Evaluation of the acceleration of orthodontic movements by applying low-level laser therapy. A randomized clinical trial,” published online Nov. 10, 2026:
link.springer.com/10.1007/s00784-026-07238-3


Low-Level Laser Sped Canine Retraction in Adult Split-Mouth Orthodontic Trial

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