Orthodontic treatment acceleration with corticotomy-assisted exposure of palatally impacted canines.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the effectiveness of a new surgical technique in the treatment of palatally impacted canines.


METHODS
Six consecutive patients presenting with bilaterally impacted canines were compared. One canine was surgically exposed using a conventional surgical technique while the contralateral canine was exposed using a corticotomy-assisted technique.


RESULTS
After tooth movement was completed, statistical comparisons of the two methods revealed a reduction of treatment time of 28-33% for the corticotomy-assisted canines. No significant differences were observed in final periodontal condition between the canines exposed by these two methods.


CONCLUSIONS
This preliminary study supports the concept that a corticotomy-assisted surgical technique helps reduce orthodontic treatment time for palatally impacted canines.
Fischer
T J
TJ
Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA. tfdmd@mac.com
D002648:Child; D003481:Cuspid / Q000601:surgery*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010027:Osteotomy / Q000379:methods*; D013997:Time Factors; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques / Q000379:methods*; D014095:Tooth, Impacted / Q000601:surgery*