Comparative assessment of corticotomy facilitated rapid canine retraction using piezo versus bur: A randomized clinical study

Abstract

PurposeThe leading concern of orthodontic patients is prolonged treatment with fixed appliances and demand speedy treatment from the orthodontists. Piezocision is a relatively innovative, safe and reliable technique of corticotomy in the domain of surgically-accelerated orthodontic treatment. Our aim was to compare the efficiency of piezo corticotomy (piezocision) and conventional bur in rapid orthodontic tooth movement (OTM). Subjects and methodThe study employed a randomized, double-blind, split-mouth design. 24 subjects with Class II div 1 malocclusion were randomly assigned to the two interventions, viz; piezo and bur group. The primary parameters evaluated were the rate and amount of tooth movement and total treatment time required for canine retraction. Additionally, the duration of surgery and postoperative complications were also evaluated. Observations and resultsRate and amount of tooth movement were significantly higher with reduction in total treatment time in piezo compared to bur group. The duration of surgery was significantly longer in piezo group with no significant difference observed in post-operative complications. ConclusionPiezo-guided corticotomy was effective in providing rapid OTM with profound reduction in total treatment time and may be proposed as a suitable adjuvant to conventional corticotomy having comparable post-operative complications.