An Innovative Approach to Accelerate Maxillary Canine Retraction With Low-Amperage Direct Electric Current: A Preliminary Clinical Study.

Abstract

Background and objective Accelerating orthodontic tooth movement is a significant goal for clinicians and patients. This study aimed to investigate the effectiveness of a low-ampere, electrically inducible tooth movement accelerator device. The study focuses on an innovative intraoral removable device designed to expedite the retraction of maxillary canines. Methods This research was conducted in the Orthodontics Department at Damascus University, Syria, between September 2022 and March 2023, and involved seven patients (five females and two males; mean age: 20.85 ± 1.34 years) initially diagnosed with class II, division I malocclusion. The treatment plan included retraction of the upper anterior teeth in two stages following the extraction of the first premolars on each side. Electrical stimulation was applied during the retraction of the maxillary canines using a removable, custom-manufactured device developed by the researchers. Patients were instructed to wear the device for five hours daily. The variables investigated included the rate of canine retraction, safety, and patient acceptance of the device. Results The average rate of canine retraction was consistent, averaging 1.25 ± 0.13 mm/month. No side effects, such as irritation or discomfort, were observed. Patients reported no adverse effects and stated that they would recommend the technique to others. Five out of seven patients found it easy to adapt to the device, while two found it moderately challenging. Conclusions Our findings showed that low-amperage direct current electrical stimulation effectively accelerated orthodontic movement. The maxillary canine retraction was significantly sped up without any adverse effects. Patients responded positively, indicating feasibility and acceptability. This technique could reduce treatment duration, which is pending further validation.