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Use of electrical stimulation for accelerated orthodontics in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Evidence-Based Dentistry (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Aim

The main objective of this systematic review is to comprehensively evaluate all the relevant studies to evaluate the effectiveness of electrical stimulation to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement in human patients.

Methods

Using a suitable search strategy, various databases like PubMed, CENTRAL, Scopus and Google Scholar were surveyed for relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs); after which a hand search of related orthodontic journals was completed. The risk of bias of studies was checked using Cochrane’s ROB-2 tool. The quality of evidence of the included studies was evaluated using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation (GRADE) framework. Rate of orthodontic tooth movement was compared and thus efficiency of electrical stimulation to accelerate tooth movement was assessed. Meta-analysis was done on 2 studies out of the 4; rate of orthodontic tooth movement was compared at two time periods after start of treatment (3rd month and 5th month) with standardized mean difference (SMD) as summary estimate, with p < 0.05 denoting statistical significance. Publication bias was checked using a funnel plot.

Results

Via exploration of the online databases and hand searching, 1080 studies were found after removing duplicates. After full text assessment, 13 studies in total were selected that used electrical stimulation, out of which 4 studies were included in the qualitative analysis as they met the inclusion criteria. The meta-analysis was done for 3rd month and 5th month with SMD as 0.69(−1.26–0.12) and 1.64(−3.44–0.16), respectively. The strength of evidence in the meta-analysis is moderate. There was no publication bias as shown by funnel plot.

Discussion

The studies included showed increased risk of selection and performance bias. Also due to the limited number of studies available, there was difficulty in reaching definitive conclusions. The meta-analysis showed a significant difference among the control and experimental group for the 3rd month.

Conclusion

Even though a positive correlation is found between electrical stimulation and acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement, it is advised to conduct further studies, particularly with human participants, to establish a more conclusive outcome.

Registration

This review has received no funding. The protocol for the study was registered in the Prospective Registration of Systematic Review (PROSPERO)(CRD42023495077).

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Fig. 1: Flowchart of selection process of studies.
Fig. 2: Risk of bias.
Fig. 3
Fig. 4: 4 Synthesis of results.
Fig. 5: Sensitivity analysis.
Fig. 6: Publication bias.

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Data availability

All data supporting the findings of this systematic review and meta-analysis are available within the paper and its supplementary information. The included studies are given in references 14, 16, 17 and 18. If additional data is required, it can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author. Also, if additional data is required, it can be obtained by contacting the corresponding author.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Bharati Vidyapeeth (deemed to be university) Dental college and Hospital, Pune, Maharashtra, India

    Shubhobrata Dutta, Tanisha Rout, Amol Somaji Patil & Sonakashee Deshmukh

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  1. Shubhobrata Dutta
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  2. Tanisha Rout
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  3. Amol Somaji Patil
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  4. Sonakashee Deshmukh
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Contributions

AP and SDM- Helped in framing the concept and idea generation for the review, also gave overall guidance and approved the final draft. SD- Data assembly, organization and management; writing manuscript, conducting statistical analysis and interpretations of results. TR- Data assembly, organization and management.

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Correspondence to Amol Somaji Patil.

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Dutta, S., Rout, T., Patil, A.S. et al. Use of electrical stimulation for accelerated orthodontics in humans: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Evid Based Dent (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41432-024-00997-6

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