Comparison of conventional and laser-aided fiberotomy in relapse tendency of rotated tooth: A randomized controlled clinical trial.

INTRODUCTION: The aim of the present study was to compare the tendency of mandibular incisor rotation relapse after conventional circumferential supracrestal fiberotomy (CSF) with Er,Cr:YSGG laser-aided CSF. METHODS: In this three-arm parallel study, the patients with one lower incisor rotation greater than 30 degrees before treatment were selected. The patients were randomly assigned to three groups in a 1:1:1 ratio. Rotational relapse tendency was measured on a digitized model one month after arch wire removal. Probing depth, clinical crown height and pain levels were also measured. RESULTS: A total of 46 patients were recruited. Relapse tendency in conventional CSF and laser-aided CSF groups were 5.09+/-1.59 degrees and 4.87+/-2.08 degrees , respectively, and significantly lower than 11.28+/-2.93 degrees in the control group (P<0.001). Relapse tendency was not different between the conventional CSF and laser CSF groups. Probing depth, clinical crown height, and experienced pain levels exhibited negligible differences. CONCLUSIONS: Er,Cr:YSGG laser-aided CSF in one month was as effective in reducing rotational relapse tendency of mandibular incisor teeth as conventional CSF.