The Effect of Ultrasound on Orthodontic Tooth Movement

Various strategies have been employed to accelerate the rate of orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) in order to decrease treatment time and the associated risks such as periodontal disease and caries. This study investigated whether low-intensity pulsed ultrasound (LIPUS) could accelerate the rate of OTM. Orthodontic patients requiring bilaterally symmetric extraction of first premolars were recruited. During extraction space closure, LIPUS was applied to one side of the dental arch for 20 minutes a day while the contra-lateral side acted as the control. The size of the extraction space was measured throughout treatment. A total of eight patients were considered compliant. The results revealed no significant changes in the rate of OTM with LIPUS during space closure. The findings were contrary to previous studies on dogs and could be related to the dosage or compliance with the coupling gel. Further investigations are needed to determine whether LIPUS application can influence the rate of OTM.M.Sc.2018-03-01 00:00:0