| Summary: | Background/purpose: Reducing orthodontic treatment duration has many advantages for both clinicians and patients. This study was designed to compare the effects of alveolar decortication and low level laser therapy methods on tooth movement rate and alveolar bone metabolism. Materials and methods: A total of 42 Wistar albino rats were divided into three main groups as: Alveolar decortication (AD), low level laser therapy (LLLT) and only orthodontic force (F). The groups were evaluated at 7 and 14 day time points. Tooth movement rates were calculated by measuring the space between the contact points of the first and second molars. Comparisons regarding the alveolar bone metabolism were accomplished by evaluating osteoclast counts and RANKL - OPG expressions. Results: The rate of tooth movement, at all time points, was significantly higher for the AD group than the other groups and was significantly higher in the LLLT group than the F group. At both time points, the RANKL and OPG expression in the AD group was significantly higher than the other groups and these parameters in the LLLT group was significantly higher than the F group. The osteoclast count values in the AD and LLLT groups were significantly higher than the F group and there were no significant differences between these two groups at all time points. Conclusion: This study shows that, to be more effective at AD, both AD and LLLT therapy significantly increases the level of tooth movement in the early period through their stimulating effects on the alveolar bone metabolism. Keywords: Low level laser therapy, Alveolar decortication, Tooth movement, RANKL-OPG
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