Accelerated tooth movement: Do we need a new systematic review?

Current systematic reviews are important for health care providers in supporting their evidence-based practice decisions. Equally important is the ability to determine when a new systematic review is needed in view of the rapid publication output. The current best evidence from a 2013 systematic review suggests that certain treatments may accelerate orthodontic tooth movement. Our aim was to determine if an updated systematic review is needed on this topic by applying the modified Ottawa method. A systematic search of Pubmed, Embase, CENTRAL, and Web of Science databases, identical to the previous systematic review, was executed. Two authors performed screening for inclusion/exclusion of studies and selected full-text articles were reviewed. Qualitative and quantitative criteria were applied to assess studies describing the following types of interventions to accelerate tooth movement: electrical, photobiomodulation, micro-osteoperforations, vibration, corticotomy, and low-level laser therapy. The Ottawa method showed that studies produced since 2011 have (1) potentially invalidating evidence and description of new methods and (2) combined new data that would enhance the precision of the existing evidence on low-level laser therapy. These collectively indicate the need for a new systematic review on adjunct procedures to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement, which may offer new evidence and techniques not previously mentioned.