Root resorption, treatment time and extraction rate during orthodontic treatment with self-ligating and conventional brackets

Collin Jacobs,Heinrich Wehrbein,Philipp F Gebhardt,Dan Meila,Viviana Jacobs,Marlene Hechtner

doi:10.1186/1746-160x-10-2

Abstract

IntroductionThis study determined the amount and severity of EARR (external apical root resorption) after orthodontic treatment with self-ligating (SL) and conventional (Non-SL) brackets. Differences regarding rate of extraction cases, appointments and treatment time were evaluated.Material and methods213 patients with a mean age of 12.4 ± 2.2 years were evaluated retrospectively. The treatments were performed with SL brackets (n = 139, Smartclip, 3 M Unitek, USA) or Non-SL brackets (n = 74, Victory Series, 3 M Unitek, USA). Measurements of the crown and root length of the incisors were taken using panoramic radiographs. Three-factor analysis of variance (ANOVA) was performed for an appliance effect.ResultsThere was no difference between patients treated with Non-SL or SL brackets regarding the amount (in percentage) of EARR (Non-SL: 4.5 ± 6.6 vs. SL: 3.0 ± 5.6). Occurrence of severe EARR (sEARR) did also not differ between the two groups (Non-SL 0.5 vs. SL: 0.3). The percentage of patients with need of tooth extraction for treatment (Non SL: 8.1 vs. SL: 6.9) and the number of appointments (Non-SL: 12.4 ± 3.4 vs. SL: 13.9 ± 3.3) did not show any differences. The treatment time was shorter with Non-SL brackets (Non-SL: 18.1 ± 5.3 vs. SL: 20.7 ± 4.9 months).ConclusionsThis is the largest study showing that there is no difference in the amount of EARR, number of appointments and extraction rate between conventional and self-ligating brackets. For the first time we could demonstrate that occurrence of sEARR does not differ between the two types of brackets.

Highlights

This study determined the amount and severity of External apical root resorption (EARR) after orthodontic treatment with self-ligating (SL) and conventional (Non-SL) brackets
There was no difference between patients treated with Non-SL or SL brackets regarding the amount of EARR (Non-SL: 4.5 ± 6.6 vs. SL: 3.0 ± 5.6)
This is the largest study showing that there is no difference in the amount of EARR, number of appointments and extraction rate between conventional and self-ligating brackets

Summary

Introduction

This study determined the amount and severity of EARR (external apical root resorption) after orthodontic treatment with self-ligating (SL) and conventional (Non-SL) brackets. External apical root resorption (EARR) is defined as either a physiologic or pathologic process with the loss of cementum or dentine resulting in a shortening of the root apex. This process is often associated with orthodontic treatment [1]. As a result many studies have underlined that EARR often develops during treatment with the fixed multibracket appliance [1,2,3,4,5]. Since orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance can act as a trigger for severe EARR (sEARR) in genetically predisposed individuals [14], it is estimated, that the proportion of the hereditary component is 60%-80% for EARR [24]

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