October 2012

Aim: To evaluate the effect of corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics (CFO) in adults using a further modified technique versus traditional therapy in orthodontic tooth movement. Methods: Twenty adult orthodontic patients with moderate crowding of the lower anterior teeth were randomly divided and treated with either a modified technique of corticotomy-facilitated orthodontic tooth movement (Group I) or conventional orthodontic therapy (Group II). Total treatment time was calculated in weeks from the time of activation of the orthodontic appliance immediately following the corticotomy procedure to the time of debracketing. Clinical periodontal parameters and standardized periapical radiographs were recorded at baseline, post-orthodontic treatment (time of debracketing) and six months post-operatively. The primary radiographic variables were root length and bone density. Results: Treatment duration for patients in both groups ranged from 14-20 weeks. There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups regarding the treatment duration: 17.5 ± 2.8 weeks in the CFO group and 49 ± 12.3 weeks in the conventional orthodontic therapy group. No significant changes occurred in clinical probing depth in either group at any time interval. The net percentage of change that occurred in bone density from baseline to six months post-treatment was not statistically significantly different between the two groups. Group I demonstrated a net decrease in bone density of 21.8%, while Group II demonstrated a net decrease of 37.2%. Group I demonstrated an average net decrease in root length of 0.02 ± 0.10 mm, while Group II demonstrated an average net decrease of 1.4 ± 0.8 mm, which was not statistically significantly different. Conclusion: The results of the current study suggest that corticotomy-facilitated orthodontic tooth movement using a further modified technique significantly reduces the total time of treatment. In addition, the incidence of root resorption and adverse effect on teeth investing tissues associated with orthodontic tooth movement were reduced. Moreover, the acceleration of tooth movement through the proposed technique motivated patient cooperation.