Abstract
BackgroundThe aim of this prospective study was to compare root resorption after the leveling phase of treatment, performed by either super-elastic or conventional multi-stranded stainless steel arch wires.MethodsFrom a total of 156 future orthodontic patients in a private clinic, 82 were included in the study after excluding those who earlier had orthodontic or endodontic treatment or signs of resorption. Patients were equally arbitrary allocated into two groups, where leveling was performed either with super-elastic heat-activated or conventional multi-stranded stainless steel arch wires. Root length loss was calculated using pre-treatment and post-leveling periapical radiographs.ResultsThe use of super-elastic arch wires did not significantly increase the severity of root resorption, except for tooth 31, while it reduced leveling time compared to conventional stainless steel wires. Crossbite of maxillary lateral incisors seemed to be a risk factor for resorption.ConclusionIncisor root resorption after leveling did not differ significantly between patients treated with super-elastic and conventional stainless steel arch wires, except for a mandibular incisor.Electronic supplementary materialThe online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40510-014-0035-z) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
Highlights
The aim of this prospective study was to compare root resorption after the leveling phase of treatment, performed by either super-elastic or conventional multi-stranded stainless steel arch wires
Even though mild apical root resorption is a usual finding among orthodontic patients [3], severe root length loss is quite infrequent
Patients' recruitment was performed during fall 2009, and the follow-up lasted until spring/summer 2010
Summary
The aim of this prospective study was to compare root resorption after the leveling phase of treatment, performed by either super-elastic or conventional multi-stranded stainless steel arch wires. Leveling and alignment are usually the first phase of orthodontic treatment with fixed appliances. It could be considered as the ‘trial’ phase, when patient's cooperation and tissue responses become apparent. Among the biological reactions to tooth movement, tendency for apical root resorption during this early phase has been shown to be indicative of the final root length loss during the entire treatment [1,2]. Even though mild apical root resorption is a usual finding among orthodontic patients [3], severe root length loss is quite infrequent.
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