Effects of Different Anchorage Methods and Low-Level Laser Therapy in Power Bar Distalization

This study aimed to compare the dentoalveolar, skeletal, dental arch, transverse, and soft tissue effects of maxillary molar distalization performed with the Power Bar appliance using different mandibular anchorage methods, and to evaluate the additional effects of low-level laser therapy on orthodontic tooth movement. A total of 57 participants were evaluated in four groups according to the anchorage approach used during treatment: miniscrew anchorage (n=14), orthodontic button anchorage (n=14), lingual arch anchorage (n=14), and a control group (n=15). In the three active treatment groups, maxillary molar distalization was performed using the Power Bar appliance. The treatment groups differed primarily according to the mandibular anchorage method used to support the distalization mechanics. Low-level laser therapy was also evaluated within the active treatment groups using a split-mouth design. One side received low-level laser therapy, while the contralateral side did not receive laser application and served as an intra-individual comparison side. This design allowed the potential effect of laser therapy to be evaluated while reducing inter-individual variability. Clinical and orthodontic records obtained before treatment (T0) and after the distalization period (T1) were compared. Skeletal, dentoalveolar, dental, dental arch, transverse, and soft tissue changes were assessed to determine the effects of the different anchorage methods and to investigate whether low-level laser therapy provided an additional effect during Power Bar-assisted maxillary molar distalization.