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Orthodontic Forces Interrupt Root Formation in Immature Teeth: Myth or Fact? A Pilot Study
Teena Dodeja1, Ahmed A Alsulaiman2, Leslie A Will1
1Boston University Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Massachusetts, United States.
Turkish Journal of Orthodontics
|March 28, 2025
Summary
Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and orthodontic treatment promote normal root development in developing teeth. Post-treatment root dimensions in these teeth were comparable to those with fully formed roots.
Area of Science:
- Orthodontics
- Pediatric Dentistry
- Dental Imaging
Background:
- Root development is crucial for orthodontic treatment success.
- Assessing root development during orthodontic interventions is essential for predicting outcomes.
- Rapid maxillary expansion (RME) is a common orthodontic procedure in growing patients.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the impact of RME and fixed appliance orthodontic treatment on the developing roots of anchor teeth.
- To compare root development in treated patients with incompletely formed roots to untreated controls with completely formed roots.
Main Methods:
- Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans were used to analyze root dimensions.
- 19 patients undergoing RME and orthodontic treatment were compared with 15 untreated controls.
- Linear and volumetric measurements of tooth roots were obtained and analyzed.
Main Results:
- Premolars in the treated group showed significant increases in root length and volume.
- Molar roots in the treated group exhibited significant decreases in length.
- No significant differences in post-treatment root dimensions were observed between treated and control groups.
Conclusions:
- Orthodontic treatment with RME leads to normal root length in developing teeth.
- Developing roots achieve dimensions comparable to fully formed roots after treatment.
- This suggests that RME and orthodontic treatment do not negatively impact overall root development.
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