Let's Get Moving: Surgically Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy to Enhance Orthodontic Outcomes

Surgically facilitated orthodontic therapy (SFOT) has emerged as an interdisciplinary approach to address the limitations of conventional orthodontics in patients with moderate to severe malocclusion. This article reviews the biologic rationale, indications, diagnostic considerations, and clinical protocols underlying SFOT, with emphasis on regional acceleratory phenomenon-mediated bone remodeling and its impact on treatment efficiency. Integration of cone-beam computed tomography, intraoral scanning, and digital treatment planning enables precise evaluation of dentoalveolar boundaries and periodontal phenotype, guiding case selection and surgical design. Techniques including corticotomy, decortication, and adjunctive hard- and soft-tissue grafting are discussed in the context of expanding the envelope of tooth movement while mitigating risks such as dehiscence and gingival recession. Interdisciplinary collaboration is highlighted as essential for optimizing esthetic, functional, and long-term outcomes.