Diode Laser versus Conventional Surgical Circumferential Supracrestal Fiberotomy in Preventing Relapse of Orthodontically Derotated Teeth: A Randomised Control Trial

Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of a diode laser (810 nm) for circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy compared with conventional surgical circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy in preventing rotational relapse in orthodontically treated cases. Methods: Seventy-six patients (age range from 18-25 years) with mandibular crowding ranging between 5-8 mm and rotation > 10 degrees (from the individualized arch form) treated non- extraction with a straight wire appliance (McLaughlin, Bennet, Trevisi; 0.022 inch) prescription were selected for the study. The patients were randomly allocated into 3 groups of 22 patients each: Group 1 (Control group-No circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy), Group 2 (Conventional circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy), and Group 3 (diode laser circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy). After leveling and alignment up to "0.019x0.025" stainless steel wire, the arch wire was removed for a period of 1 month. Impressions were made and the poured casts were scanned. The 3D models (.STL files) were evaluated for changes in the irregularity index and rotational relapse. Results: One-way ANOVA and post-hoc Tukey's test were used for data analysis. Group 1 (Control group) showed greater relapse in both irregularity index and rotation angulations in comparison with Groups 2 and 3, which was statistically significant (p < 0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in irregularity index and rotational relapse between Group 2 and Group 3 (p=0.35 for irregularity index, and p=0.41 for rotational relapse). Conclusion: The control group showed significantly more relapse than both circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy groups. Both conventional and diode laser circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy decreased the relapse tendency.