Long-term Effects of Augmented Corticotomy-Assisted Orthodontics in Patients With Mandibular Anterior Alveolar Defect

The purpose of this study was to quantitatively investigate the long-term effects of augmented corticotomy-assisted orthodontics in adult patients with alveolar defect in mandibular anterior region.

Thirty lower incisors with alveolar defect on the labial sides were included in this study from 10 adult patients received augmented corticotomy-assisted orthodontics in mandibular anterior region. Cone-beam computed tomography images were obtained before orthodontic treatment (T0), 3 months after augmented corticotomy (T1) and 2 years after removal of orthodontic appliance (T2). Measurements of variables at different time points were compared using Student-Newman-Keuls test.

Each patient completed augmented corticotomy-assisted orthodontics successfully. In the 30 subjects studied, root length and bone thickness on the labial side at 1/2 root length level were maintained from T0 to T2 (P >.05). Bone thickness at 3/4 root length level increased from T0 to T1 (P <.001), then decreased from T1 to T2 (P <.001), and which of T2 is greater than that of T0 (P <.001). Bone thickness at root apex level increased from T0 to T1 (P <.001), and remained steady from T1 to T2 (P >.05).

Augmented corticotomy-assisted orthodontics is a promising approach for the treatment of adult patients with alveolar defect, which showed stable long-term effect of bone augmentation and minimal periodontal iatrogenic sequelae during treatment.