Skip to main page content
U.S. flag

An official website of the United States government

Dot gov

The .gov means it’s official.
Federal government websites often end in .gov or .mil. Before sharing sensitive information, make sure you’re on a federal government site.

Https

The site is secure.
The https:// ensures that you are connecting to the official website and that any information you provide is encrypted and transmitted securely.

Access keys NCBI Homepage MyNCBI Homepage Main Content Main Navigation
Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Aug;11(4):e70188.
doi: 10.1002/cre2.70188.

Effect of Low-Intensity Electrical Stimulation on External Apical Root Resorption and Periodontal Indices Following En-Masse Retraction of Upper Anterior Teeth in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Rashad I Shaadouh  1 , Mohammad Y Hajeer  1 , Mohammad Khursheed Alam  2 , Samer T Jaber  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Effect of Low-Intensity Electrical Stimulation on External Apical Root Resorption and Periodontal Indices Following En-Masse Retraction of Upper Anterior Teeth in Young Adults: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Rashad I Shaadouh et al. Clin Exp Dent Res. 2025 Aug.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate external apical root resorption (EARR) and periodontal indices during en-masse retraction of maxillary anterior teeth stimulated with low-intensity electrical currents.

Trial design: A two-arm randomized controlled trial.

Methods: Young adult patients who visited the Department of Orthodontics at Damascus University between November 2023 and March 2024 and met predefined inclusion criteria were randomly allocated into two groups using block randomization. The study included 34 patients, with 17 assigned to the electrically stimulated en-masse retraction (ESER) group and 17 to the conventional en-masse retraction (CER) group. The force for the en-masse retraction technique in both groups was 250 g per side. The force was applied through bilateral closed-coil nickel-titanium springs anchored to an orthodontic mini-screw on each side. In the ESER group, each upper anterior tooth was subjected to a continuous electrical stimulation of 15-20 µA for 5 h daily, utilizing an intraoral removable electrical stimulation device. EARR was assessed using digital panoramic radiographs. Four periodontal indices were also used to assess periodontal status. Blinding was confined to data analysis.

Results: Thirty-four patients (26 females and 8 males) were analyzed with a mean age of 21.12 ± 2.41 years. At the end of the en-masse retraction phase, no significant difference in EARR was observed between the two groups (p > 0.05). The observed root resorption in the ESER and CER ranged between 0.27 and 0.64 and 0.32 and 0.71 mm, respectively. Also, insignificant differences were found in all periodontal indices studied at all measurement points between the two groups (p > 0.05).

Conclusions: Low-intensity electrical stimulation had no significant effect on root resorption during the en-masse retraction of the six upper anterior teeth. Both groups exhibited comparable slight root resorption without any significant difference between them. Additionally, low-intensity electrical stimulation did not affect the periodontal status during en-masse retraction.

Trail registration: Clinical Trials database (NCT06873490).

Keywords: electrical stimulation; en‐masse retraction; periodontal indices; root resorption.

PubMed Disclaimer

Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflicts of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
The conventional mini‐implants anchored en‐masse retraction of upper anterior teeth.
Figure 2
Figure 2
The electrical stimulation device. A: Lateral view of the dental arch with the device placed. B: Occlusal view of the device.
Figure 3
Figure 3
CONSORT flow diagram of patient recruitment, follow‐up, and entry into data analysis.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

Similar articles

See all similar articles

References

    1. Ahmed, S. , Basuhail S., Basuhail H., et al. 2022. “Evaluation of Periodontal Health Status in Patients Undergoing Fixed Orthodontic Treatment. A Systematic Review.” European Journal of Molecular and Clinical Medicine 9, no. 7: 3867–3886. https://link.gale.com/apps/doc/A737509290/AONE?u=anon~65e3f3a6&sid=googl....
    1. Ahuja, D. , Batra P., Mv A., and Singh A. K.. 2024. “Orthognathic‐Like Orthodontics: Management of Skeletal Class II Malocclusion in an Adult Patient.” Cureus 16, no. 9: e69628. 10.7759/cureus.69628. - DOI - PMC - PubMed
    1. Ahuja, D. , Shetty S., Gautam R., Batra P., and Lego T.. 2025. “Efficacy of Single Versus Double Miniscrew‐Assisted Maxillary Anterior Intrusion in Subjects With Gummy Smile or Deep Bite: A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis.” International Orthodontics 23, no. 3: 100996. 10.1016/j.ortho.2025.100996. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Ahuja, D. , Singh A. K., and Batra P.. 2025. “Antibacterial Efficacy of Nanoparticles on Orthodontic Materials—A Systematic Review and Meta‐Analysis.” International Orthodontics 23, no. 1: 100955. 10.1016/j.ortho.2024.100955. - DOI - PubMed
    1. Alexander, S. A. 1991. “Effects of Orthodontic Attachments on the Gingival Health of Permanent Second Molars.” American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics 100, no. 4: 337–340. 10.1016/0889-5406(91)70071-4. - DOI - PubMed

Publication types

Associated data