Morphologic evaluation of dentoalveolar structures of mandibular anterior teeth during augmented corticotomy-assisted decompensation.
BACKGROUND
Our aim in this study was to evaluate the effect of augmented corticotomy on the decompensation pattern of mandibular anterior teeth, alveolar bone, and surrounding periodontal tissues during presurgical orthodontic treatment.


METHODS
Thirty skeletal Class III adult patients were divided into 2 groups according to the application of augmented corticotomy labial to the anterior mandibular roots: experimental group (with augmented corticotomy, n = 15) and control group (without augmented corticotomy, n = 15). Lateral cephalograms and cone-beam computed tomography images were taken before orthodontic treatment and before surgery. The measurements included the inclination and position of the mandibular incisors, labial alveolar bone area, vertical alveolar bone height, root length, and alveolar bone thickness at 3 levels surrounding the mandibular central incisors, lateral incisors, and canines.


RESULTS
The mandibular incisors were significantly proclined in both groups (P <0.001); however, the labial movement of the incisor tip was greater in the experimental group (P <0.05). Significant vertical alveolar bone loss was observed only in the control group (P <0.001). The middle and lower alveolar thicknesses and labial alveolar bone area increased in the experimental group. In the control group, the upper and middle alveolar thicknesses and labial alveolar bone area decreased significantly. There were no significant differences in dentoalveolar changes between the 3 kinds of anterior teeth in each group, except for root length in the experimental group (P <0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Augmented corticotomy provided a favorable decompensation pattern of the mandibular incisors, preserving the periodontal structures surrounding the mandibular anterior teeth for skeletal Class III patients.
Assistant professor, Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Hyo-Won
HW
Ahn
Postgraduate student, Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Dong-Hwi
DH
Seo
Professor and chair, Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. Electronic address: bravortho@gmail.com.
Seong-Hun
SH
Kim
Professor, Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Young-Guk
YG
Park
Clinical professor, Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
Kyu-Rhim
KR
Chung
Clinical professor, Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Science, University of California, San Francisco, Calif.
Gerald
G
Nelson
D000328:Adult; D016301:Alveolar Bone Loss / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D000539:Alveolar Process / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging*; D000540:Alveolar Ridge Augmentation / Q000379:methods*; D054893:Cone-Beam Computed Tomography; D003766:Dental Occlusion; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008310:Malocclusion / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D008334:Mandible / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging* / Q000601:surgery*; D011183:Postoperative Complications / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D014087:Tooth Movement Techniques; D014092:Tooth Root / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D055815:Young Adult