Effects on Alveolar Bone Changes Following Corticotomy-assisted Molar Mesialization

Abstract

Objectives: The aim was to evaluate alveolar bone changes that occur following decortication-facilitated orthodontics for mandibular molar protraction and to evaluate the rate of mandibular molar mesialization after decortication. Materials and Methods: The sample comprised 24 patients with a mean initial age of 29.04 years. Patients had their mandibular first molar extracted due to carious lesions. Alveolar decortication at the edentulous site was performed on all patients 2 weeks before protraction of the second molar. Cone-beam computed tomogram was used to evaluate alveolar bone changes following decortication-assisted mandibular molar protraction. Changes in buccolingual alveolar bone thickness, buccal and lingual marginal bone levels, and crestal bone height were assessed at preprotraction (T0) and 6-month postprotraction (T1). A lateral cephalometric radiograph was used to evaluate the rate of mandibular second molar protraction at T0 and T1. Results: The mean mandibular second molar movement was 5.98 mm and ranged from 3.5–10.5 mm. The mean treatment time was 4.85 months with a range of 3–9.5 months. The buccolingual alveolar bone thickness of the edentulous ridge was significantly increased; the marginal bone level did not change significantly, and the crestal bone height was significantly decreased after the edentulous space had been closed for 6 months. Conclusions: Decortication-facilitated orthodontics for mandibular molar protraction can help move the mandibular second molar forward through the atrophic edentulous area and improve alveolar bone thickness in the buccolingual dimension.