الفهرس 
ENGLISH ABSTRACTOnly 14 pages are availabe for public view
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Abstract
Orthodontic treatment’s ultimate goal is to achieve optimal esthetics and function, with maximum benefits and minimum side effects. Acceleration of tooth movement has been a major field of research in orthodontics, and LLLT has been one of the suggested non-surgical methods addressing this aim, with positive results being reported regarding its effectiveness in the majority of the studies. Regarding the method of application, different LLLT application protocols have been reported in the literature regarding the expedition of tooth movement, with the common ones involving a high frequency of patient recall, which may not be convenient to most of the patients. Consequently, protocols requiring less patient recall have been adopted, one of which involves laser application every 3 weeks.
The aim of our study was to compare the effect of LLLT with a high application frequency (days 0, 3, 7, 14, and every 2 weeks thereafter), versus its application every 3 weeks, on the rate of canine retraction, in an attempt to reduce the frequency of patient recall. Additionally, IL-1β levels in the GCF, root resorption, and molar anchorage loss with both protocols have been assessed.
Sixteen patients were recruited for the study, requiring maxillary 1st premolar extraction, and they were checked that they fit into the set inclusion criteria. After placement of maxillary and mandibular fixed orthodontic appliances, patients were referred for extraction of maxillary 1st premolars, followed by leveling and alignment of the arches. The enrolled patients were assigned in a random manner to either group A (LLLT application on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and then every 2 weeks), or group B (LLLT applied every 3 weeks). Within each group, the maxillary arch for each patient was also randomly divided into experimental and control sides.