Method and apparatus for tooth-movement regulation

Abstract

Methods are provided for regulating tooth movement and for maintaining or improving tissue health using heavy forces. Such methods comprise allowing a heavy force to be exerted on one or more teeth of a patient in need thereof; and administering an effective amount of light to the maxillary or mandibular alveolar bone of the patient, wherein the light is administered before, during, or after the heavy force is exerted. The light can have a wavelength in the range of about 585 nm to about 665 nm, or about 815 nm to about 895 nm. An apparatus useful for providing light therapy is also provided.

1 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method for regulating orthodontic movement, comprising:
 installing on a tooth of a patient an orthodontic appliance that exerts an orthodontic force on the tooth;   introducing into an oral cavity of the patient an oral tray in which a light source is embedded, the light source comprising a light emitter;   fitting the oral tray such that the light emitter overlies mucosal tissue of the patient and overlies a root of the tooth and   emitting, via the light emitter, light having a wavelength ranging from about 620 nm to about 1,000 nm, the light irradiating the root at an intensity ranging from about 1 mW/cm 2  to about 100 mW/cm 2 .   
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the orthodontic force has a magnitude ranging from about 150 grams of force to about 600 grams of force. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the intensity is about 10 mW/cm 2 . 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light emitter is a light-emitting diode (LED). 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light emitter is a laser. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light emitter is a laser comprising a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL), an Indium-Gallium-Aluminum-Phosphide (InGaAlP) laser, a Gallium-Arsenic Phosphide/Gallium Phosphide (GaAsP/GaP) laser, and/or a Gallium-Aluminum-Arsenide/Gallium-Arsenide (GaAlAs/GaAs) laser. 
     
     
         35 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the emitting occurs before, during or after the orthodontic force is exerted. 
     
     
         36 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the emitting occurs for at least one minute. 
     
     
         37 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the emitting comprises emitting light in pulses. 
     
     
         38 . The method of  claim 29 , wherein the light has a wavelength ranging from 850 nm to 860 nm.