[Treatment of ankylosed teeth by segmental corticotomy: the Orthodontic Bone Stretching technique. Preliminary study]

Ankylosed anterior teeth are associated with infraclusion and can lead to a concomitant significant esthetic defect. After a review of the techniques used move these teeth into the arch, this article describes a new technique to restore occlusion and improve esthetics, or to prepare the case for either a prosthetic or implant treatment, Orthodontic Bone Stretching (OBS). This technic combines partial corticotomy and orthodontic treatment and produces bone stretching. After 8 to 12 weeks of force application, the ankylosed teeth are repositioned into occlusion or, if extraction is necessary, the bone crest is at a level consistent with a prosthetic or implant treatment. OBS technique can be adapted to implant infraclusion, or the vertical regeneration of atrophied ridge.