Kang Y, Rabie AB, Wong RW A review of laser applications in orthodontics. Int J Orthod Milwaukee. 2014 Spring;25(1):47-56.
Lagravere MO, Major PW, Flores-Mir C Long-term dental arch changes after rapid maxillary expansion treatment: a systematic review. Angle Orthod. 2005 Mar;75(2):155-61. doi: 10.1043/0003-3219(2005)0752.0.CO;2.
Molen AD Considerations in the use of cone-beam computed tomography for buccal bone measurements. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop. 2010 Apr;137(4 Suppl):S130-5. doi: 10.1016/j.ajodo.2010.01.015.
Skondra FG, Koletsi D, Eliades T, Farmakis ETR The Effect of Low-Level Laser Therapy on Bone Healing After Rapid Maxillary Expansion: A Systematic Review. Photomed Laser Surg. 2018 Feb;36(2):61-71. doi: 10.1089/pho.2017.4278. Epub 2017 Oct 25.
Effect of Rapid Maxillary Expansion With Low Level Laser Therapy Versus Rapid Maxillary Expansion in Children With Posterior Cross Bite
Interventional studies are often prospective and are specifically tailored to evaluate direct impacts of treatment or preventive measures on disease.
Observational studies are often retrospective and are used to assess potential causation in exposure-outcome relationships and therefore influence preventive methods.
Expanded access is a means by which manufacturers make investigational new drugs available, under certain circumstances, to treat a patient(s) with a serious disease or condition who cannot participate in a controlled clinical trial.
Clinical trials are conducted in a series of steps, called phases - each phase is designed to answer a separate research question.
Phase 1: Researchers test a new drug or treatment in a small group of people for the first time to evaluate its safety, determine a safe dosage range, and identify side effects.
Phase 2: The drug or treatment is given to a larger group of people to see if it is effective and to further evaluate its safety.
Phase 3: The drug or treatment is given to large groups of people to confirm its effectiveness, monitor side effects, compare it to commonly used treatments, and collect information that will allow the drug or treatment to be used safely.
Phase 4: Studies are done after the drug or treatment has been marketed to gather information on the drug's effect in various populations and any side effects associated with long-term use.