Corticotomies and Orthodontic Tooth Movement: A Systematic Review

A systematic review was conducted to examine the evidence for the effectiveness and safety of corticotomy-facilitated orthodontics.

Electronic databases (Ovid Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane, SCOPUS, and Web of Science) were searched for articles that examined the rate of corticotomy-facilitated orthodontic tooth movement and its effects on the periodontium, root resorption, and tooth vitality. Unpublished literature was searched electronically through ClinicalTrials.gov (http://www.clinicaltrials.gov) and the ISRCTN registry (http://www.controlled-trials.com). Relevant orthodontic journals and reference lists also were checked for eligible studies. Randomized clinical trials (RCTs) and controlled clinical trials (CCTs) were considered. Two article reviewers independently assessed the search results, screened the relevant articles, performed data extraction, and evaluated the methodologic quality of the studies.

Fourteen eligible articles (6 RCTs and 8 CCTs) were included in the review. There was a statistically meaningful increase in the rate of tooth movement compared with controls for all corticotomy techniques assessed. Some studies reported that acceleration in tooth movement was only temporary (lasting a few months). Corticotomy procedures did not seem to produce unwanted adverse effects on the periodontium, root resorption, and tooth vitality. The quality of the body of evidence was regarded as low owing to the presence of multiple methodologic issues, high risks of bias, and heterogeneity in the included articles.

Corticotomy procedures can produce statistically and clinically meaningful temporary increases in the rate of orthodontic tooth movement with minimal side-effects. Additional high-quality randomized clinical trials are needed to allow more definitive conclusions.