Powered toothbrushes: can they be used as a vibratory device for accelerating the rate of orthodontic tooth movement?

Authors : Shalu Jain, Raghav P, Khera Amit, Arya Ashish, Mohan S

DOI : 10.18231/j.jco.2018.039

Volume : 2

Issue : 4

Year : 2018

Page No : 39-45

Introduction: In recent time there is surge in application of various methods to accelerate orthodontic movement. The associated potential side effects of biological and surgical stimulus led to the popularization of noninvasive method in which vibratory stimulation had been reported to be effective in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement. Commercially available vibratory devices have shown contradictory results regarding their effect on increasing the rate of orthodontic tooth. Vibratory toothbrushes, as an alternative to provide vibratory stimulus has also showed positive results in increasing the rate of tooth movement.
Aim and objectives: To validate the efficacy of mechanical vibration through powered toothbrushes in accelerating the rate of orthodontic tooth movement..
Material and methods: This was a prospective controlled clinical trial; sample consisted of 25 patients within the age range of 15-25 years, undergoing fixed orthodontic treatment. Maxillary first premolars were extracted at least four month prior to canine retraction. A force of 150 gm. was delivered from active module tie for retraction of canine. Subjects were instructed to apply vibratory stimulus through powered toothbrush (60 Hz frequency) only on experimental site for 5 min at 8 hour interval every day, for three months and in fourth month no vibratory stimulus was given. Study models were made and distance of maxillary canine distal movement (mm) was measured with vernier caliper after every 4 weeks (each month) from beginning of the canine retraction.
Results: There was no significant difference in rate of orthodontic tooth movement after first, second and third month consecutively on comparison between control and experimental site. While fourth month showed less tooth movement of experimental side as compared to control side.
Conclusion: Our findings suggest that vibratory stimulation from powered toothbrushes had no effect on accelerating the rate of orthodontic tooth movement.
Key words: Vibratory stimulation, Powered toothbrushes, Rate of orthodontic tooth movement.


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