OrthoPulse Light Therapy for Teeth Alignment

Recruiting in Palo Alto (17 mi)

Overseen by Todd Dickerson

Age: 18+

Sex: Any

Travel: May Be Covered

Time Reimbursement: Varies

Trial Phase: Academic

Recruiting

Sponsor: Biolux Technology GmbH

Disqualifiers: Anterior cross bite, spaces, extractions, others

No Placebo Group

Approved in 5 Jurisdictions

Trial Summary

What is the purpose of this trial?

This trial is testing a light therapy device called OrthoPulse to see if it can help people with braces move their teeth faster. The study focuses on patients who are currently using braces. OrthoPulse works by using light to speed up the activity of cells in the mouth, which helps teeth move more quickly.

Will I have to stop taking my current medications?

The trial information does not specify whether you need to stop taking your current medications. It is best to discuss this with the trial coordinators or your healthcare provider.

What data supports the effectiveness of the treatment OrthoPulse for teeth alignment?

A study found that using OrthoPulse with Invisalign clear aligners made the treatment more predictable, as patients needed fewer additional aligners to complete their orthodontic treatment compared to those who did not use OrthoPulse. ^{1 2 3 4 5}

Is OrthoPulse Light Therapy for Teeth Alignment safe for humans?

There is no specific safety data available for OrthoPulse Light Therapy in the provided research articles. However, general safety concerns with similar orthodontic devices include bite problems, pain, sensitivity, and periodontal disease, especially when used without dental supervision. ^{6 7 8 9 10}

How is the OrthoPulse treatment different from other teeth alignment treatments?

OrthoPulse uses low-level light therapy (LLLT) to speed up the process of aligning teeth, which is different from traditional braces or aligners that rely solely on mechanical force. This light therapy involves using infrared light to potentially enhance the efficiency of tooth movement, making it a unique approach compared to standard orthodontic treatments. ^{8 11 12 13 14}

Research Team

Todd Dickerson

Principal Investigator

Private Practice 1200 W Warner Rd, Chandler, AZ 85224

Eligibility Criteria

This trial is for adults with 4-10mm crowding in lower front teeth, needing braces for Class I-III malocclusion. Candidates must not be institutionalized by order, dependent on the sponsor or site, have gaps in front teeth, need other oral devices during the study phase, have untreated cavities or missing teeth (except wisdom), be in another study or this one before, have a crossbite upfront, or be pregnant/planning pregnancy.

Inclusion Criteria

Presence of a written declaration

I am 18 years old or older.

I have all my adult teeth.

Exclusion Criteria

Persons who have been placed in an institution as a result of an administrative or judicial order

Persons who are dependent on the sponsor, Investigator or the investigation site

Prior participation in this study

Trial Timeline

Screening

Participants are screened for eligibility to participate in the trial

2-4 weeks

Treatment

Participants receive OrthoPulse photobiomodulation to accelerate tooth movement during alignment with fixed appliances

6 weeks

Regular visits for orthodontic adjustments

Follow-up

Participants are monitored for safety and effectiveness after treatment

4 weeks

Treatment Details

Interventions

• OrthoPulse (Photobiomodulation)

Trial Overview The study tests OrthoPulse photobiomodulation's safety and effectiveness to speed up tooth movement with braces. Participants will either receive OrthoPulse treatment alongside regular orthodontic care or undergo standard treatment without additional interventions.

Participant Groups

Group I: OrthoPulse Experimental Treatment 1 Intervention

The study population includes a total of 41 patients (based on our sample size calculation), with 21 patients in group 1 and 21 patients in group 2. Eligible study participants are men and women over the age of 18 with permanent dentition who require orthodontic treatment.

Group II: Control Active Control 1 Intervention

The study population includes a total of 41 patients (based on our sample size calculation), with 21 patients in group 1 and 21 patients in group 2. Eligible study participants are men and women over the age of 18 with permanent dentition who require orthodontic treatment.

OrthoPulse is already approved in Canada for the following indications:

Approved in Canada as OrthoPulse for:

• Acceleration of tooth movement during orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances or aligners

Who Is Running the Clinical Trial?

Biolux Technology GmbH

Lead Sponsor

Trials

1

Recruited

40+

medXteam GmbH

Collaborator

Trials

2

Recruited

2,200+

Findings from Research

In a study of 40 patients using the OrthoPulse® device alongside Invisalign® clear aligners, it was found that the device significantly reduced the need for additional finishing aligners, enhancing treatment predictability.

Patients using OrthoPulse® required only 66.5% of the initially planned aligners for finishing, compared to 103.4% in a control group, indicating that OrthoPulse® can improve the efficiency of orthodontic treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictability of Invisalign® Clear Aligners Using OrthoPulse®: A Retrospective Study. Levrini, L., Carganico, A., Deppieri, A., et al.[2022]

In a study of 81 adult patients treated with the Invisalign system, significant improvements in oral health-related quality of life were reported, particularly in appearance and eating, with over 70% of participants expressing satisfaction in these areas.

The doctor-patient relationship was found to be a key factor influencing overall patient satisfaction, with positive interactions correlating strongly with improvements in dentofacial appearance and treatment experience.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient satisfaction and quality of life changes after Invisalign treatment. Pacheco-Pereira, C., Brandelli, J., Flores-Mir, C.[2018]

A study of 42 adult patients treated with Invisalign showed that ClinCheck software often overestimates the reduction of deep overbites, with only 39.2% of the predicted reduction actually achieved post-treatment.

The results indicate that patients with deeper initial overbites face greater challenges in achieving the desired outcomes, suggesting that additional strategies may be necessary for effective treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictability of overbite control with the Invisalign appliance. Blundell, HL., Weir, T., Kerr, B., et al.[2021]

The hybrid approach of using clear aligners alongside fixed lingual appliances allows for more efficient treatment of malocclusions, reducing the number of aligners needed and minimizing the need for further refinements.

In this case, the combination treatment resulted in successful outcomes in just 10 weeks for the second phase, completing the entire Class III treatment in 13 months, demonstrating both effectiveness and patient comfort.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clear aligner hybrid approach: A case report. Lombardo, L., Palone, M., Carlucci, A., et al.[2021]

In a study comparing 58 patients, traditional fixed appliances showed better outcomes in six smile-related variables compared to Invisalign clear aligners, indicating that fixed appliances may be more effective for certain smile improvements.

Invisalign did perform better in adjusting maxillary incisor position and inclination, but overall, traditional braces had a greater impact on the overall smile aesthetics for patients with Class I nonextraction.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smile outcome comparison of Invisalign and traditional fixed-appliance treatment: A case-control study. Christou, T., Abarca, R., Christou, V., et al.[2020]

A retrospective analysis of 173 medical device reports related to the Invisalign system revealed that 97.7% were adverse events, with 26% classified as serious or life-threatening, highlighting potential safety concerns associated with its use.

The most common serious adverse events included difficulty breathing, anaphylaxis, and throat swelling, indicating that healthcare providers should be vigilant and prepared to manage these reactions in patients using Invisalign.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse clinical events reported during Invisalign treatment: Analysis of the MAUDE database. Allareddy, V., Nalliah, R., Lee, MK., et al.[2017]

A review of the FDA's MAUDE database revealed 104 adverse events associated with direct-to-consumer (DTC) sequential aligners, highlighting significant oral health issues such as bite problems (41.3%), orofacial pain (29.8%), and periodontal complications (26.6%).

The majority of patients (69.2%) sought follow-up care from dentists not affiliated with the DTC aligners, indicating that the lack of professional supervision during treatment can lead to serious and potentially irreversible dental problems.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse Events Related to Direct-To-Consumer Sequential Aligners-A Study of the MAUDE Database. Belgal, P., Mhay, S., Patel, V., et al.[2023]

The use of the AcceleDent device during aligner treatment significantly accelerated orthodontic tooth movement, allowing patients to complete their treatment in an average of 9 days per aligner compared to 15 days in the control group, demonstrating a substantial time-saving benefit.

Patients using AcceleDent reported lower pain perception during the first week of treatment, indicating that this device not only speeds up the process but may also enhance patient comfort during orthodontic treatment.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Low-frequency Vibration on Aligner Treatment Duration: A Clinical Trial. Bilello, G., Fazio, M., Currò, G., et al.[2022]

Over a 5-year period, 175 adverse events and reactions (AERs) related to sequential aligners were reported in the FDA's MAUDE database, with a significant portion (73.71%) being mandatory reports from manufacturers.

Common AERs included allergic reactions (18.29%), with serious cases such as anaphylaxis (11.43%) and angioedema (2.29%), as well as other issues like gastrointestinal problems and neuromuscular symptoms, highlighting the need for awareness of potential risks associated with sequential aligner use.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of adverse events with use of orthodontic sequential aligners as reported in the manufacturer and user facility device experience database. Thavarajah, R., Thennukonda, RA.[2017]

Tooth displacement during orthodontic treatment can be influenced by adjusting the intensity of applied forces or using medicated molecules, highlighting the importance of force modulation in effective treatment.

However, practitioners must be cautious of potential harmful side effects, such as inflammatory root resorption or ankylosis, which require careful management to ensure patient safety.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tooth movement - clinical implications. Sastre, J., Le Gall, M.[2016]

Aligners can effectively treat anterior spaces caused by periodontal diseases without causing damage to periodontal tissues, as observed in a study of seven patients.

No significant changes were noted in periodontal health indicators, such as bleeding on probing and probing depth, before and after treatment, indicating the safety of using aligners in this context.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Patients with anterior spaces caused by periodontal disease treated with aligner technique]. Bai, YX., Yang, B., Dai, Q., et al.[2009]

In a study of 40 patients undergoing non-extraction orthodontic treatment, low-level light therapy using LEDs significantly reduced the time needed for tooth movement by 22%, with the test group taking an average of 68.3 days compared to 87.8 days for the control group.

The therapy involved daily 20-minute sessions of infrared light at a wavelength of 850 nm, suggesting that photobiomodulation could be an effective method to accelerate orthodontic treatment outcomes.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decrowding of lower anterior segment with and without photobiomodulation: a single center, randomized clinical trial. Nahas, AZ., Samara, SA., Rastegar-Lari, TA.[2018]

In a study involving 80 rats, LED phototherapy did not enhance the amount of orthodontic tooth movement compared to a control group, indicating that it may not be an effective treatment for accelerating tooth movement during orthodontics.

Both the LED and control groups exhibited similar levels of hyalinization and root resorption, suggesting that LED phototherapy does not significantly alter these common effects associated with orthodontic tooth movement.

NCBI (Pubmed)

pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Infrared Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Effects on Orthodontic Tooth Movement. Friedrichsdorf, SP., Chavez, VEA., Bradaschia-Correa, V., et al.[2019]

References

1. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictability of Invisalign® Clear Aligners Using OrthoPulse®: A Retrospective Study. [2022]

2. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Patient satisfaction and quality of life changes after Invisalign treatment. [2018]

3. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Predictability of overbite control with the Invisalign appliance. [2021]

4. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Clear aligner hybrid approach: A case report. [2021]

5. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Smile outcome comparison of Invisalign and traditional fixed-appliance treatment: A case-control study. [2020]

6. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse clinical events reported during Invisalign treatment: Analysis of the MAUDE database. [2017]

7. Switzerland pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Adverse Events Related to Direct-To-Consumer Sequential Aligners-A Study of the MAUDE Database. [2023]

8. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

The Effects of Low-frequency Vibration on Aligner Treatment Duration: A Clinical Trial. [2022]

9. India pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Analysis of adverse events with use of orthodontic sequential aligners as reported in the manufacturer and user facility device experience database. [2017]

10. France pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Tooth movement - clinical implications. [2016]

11. United States pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Does Low-Level Laser Therapy Enhance the Efficiency of Orthodontic Dental Alignment? Results from a Randomized Pilot Study. [2018]

12. China pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

[Patients with anterior spaces caused by periodontal disease treated with aligner technique]. [2009]

13. England pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Decrowding of lower anterior segment with and without photobiomodulation: a single center, randomized clinical trial. [2018]

14. Brazil pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

Infrared Light-Emitting Diode (LED) Effects on Orthodontic Tooth Movement. [2019]