Orthodontic Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Orthodontic, including details on braces, retainers, treatment.

Orthodontic treatment acceleration with corticotomy-assisted exposure of palatally impacted canines.

Fischer TJ

Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA. tfdmd@mac.com

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effectiveness of a new surgical technique in the treatment of palatally impacted canines. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Six consecutive patients presenting with bilaterally impacted canines were compared. One canine was surgically exposed using a conventional surgical technique while the contralateral canine was exposed using a corticotomy-assisted technique. RESULTS: After tooth movement was completed, statistical comparisons of the two methods revealed a reduction of treatment time of 28-33% for the corticotomy-assisted canines. No significant differences were observed in final periodontal condition between the canines exposed by these two methods. CONCLUSION: This preliminary study supports the concept that a corticotomy-assisted surgical technique helps reduce orthodontic treatment time for palatally impacted canines.

Published 30 April 2007 in Angle Orthod, 77(3): 417-20.
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