Alveolar bone changes around maxillary incisors after intrusion and retraction with controlled tipping versus bodily...

To compare the effect of maxillary incisor intrusion and retraction with controlled tipping (CT) versus bodily movement (BM) in extraction cases on alveolar bone height and thickness, using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Correlations between changes in alveolar dimensions and crown or root retraction, incisor inclination, and intrusion were also investigated.

In all, 144 incisors of 36 women were retrospectively evaluated. All patients were treated with anterior intrusion and retraction with either controlled tipping (CT) (group 1) or bodily movement (BM) (group 2). CBCT scans were taken before and after retraction and intrusion and measurements of alveolar bone height and thickness at the level of mid-root and root apex were measured. The prevalence of dehiscence was also calculated.

Labial bone thickness (BT) increased at the level of the root apex with increased total BT in the CT group (p < 0.05). The BM group showed decreased palatal BT. Significant vertical bone loss with an increased incidence of dehiscences occurred on the palatal side in both groups. Changes in palatal bone area was negatively correlated with the amount of root apex retraction, while the total BT at the level of root apex was positively correlated with amount of intrusion.

Bodily retraction can result in reduced palatal bone dimensions and an increase risk of iatrogenic sequelae following anterior retraction in extraction cases. Vertical bone loss and an increased incidence of dehiscences is to be expected following anterior retraction. Careful attention must be paid to the bone boundary conditions to avoid moving the incisors out of the alveolar housing.