Comparative evaluation of low level laser therapy and high frequency vibrations on retention after fixed orthodontic treatment: a randomized controlled trial

In orthodontics, retention and stability should be considered an integral part of the orthodontic treatment phase. The prime goal of an orthodontist is to preserve what he/she has achieved at the end of the treatment. Although the patient may feel that treatment is complete when the appliances are removed, an important stage lies ahead: retention and stability. Retainer wear is difficult for many patients, and over time, compliance declines. Consequently, there is a great need for methods to prevent periodontal relapse and reduce retention time after receiving orthodontic therapy.

Over the past two decades, various biomedical agents, methods, and techniques have been introduced to enhance orthodontic retention, thus minimizing relapse. Two such methods are low intensity laser therapy (LILT) and low magnitude, high-frequency vibrations (LMHF). Recent studies suggest that low-magnitude, high-frequency (LMHF) mechanical vibration can alter bone metabolism to stimulate cell metabolism, osteoblastic gene expression, and bone formation. This raises the possibility of using LMHF mechanical vibration as an additional technique to hasten periodontal and bone healing after orthodontic therapy. This could, in turn, encourage stability, reduce retention times, and raise patient contentment. Both LLLT and HFV have gained attention in recent years for their potential in improving various aspects of orthodontic treatment outcomes. However, there is limited comparative research directly assessing their effects on retention in human studies. By conducting a head-to-head comparison, this study seeks to provide valuable insights into the relative effectiveness of these modalities, thus aiding clinicians in making informed decisions regarding post-treatment retention strategies