The efficacy of alveolar-decortication to reduce treatment time for orthodontic alignment of palatally impacted canines

Abstract

AIM To investigate the efficacy of alveolar-decortication, in addition to surgical eposure, in reducing the time taken to align palatally impacted canines. NULL HYPOTHESIS There is no difference in the velocity of tooth movement, whilst aligning an impacted canine, following the conventional or alternative surgical technique. DESIGN Prospective Parallel Group Randomised Controlled Clinical Trial. METHOD Ethical approval was obtained. Participants were randomly allocated to control or test groups. Measurements to record the distance from the tip of the canine to the line of the dental arch, and the time to various clinical endpoints were recorded to determine the velocity of tooth movement. Any pain and adverse events were recorded. RESULTS 29 subjects participated. The addition of alveolar-decortication reduced the time to eruption, which was 34 and 21 weeks in the control and test groups respectively. There was little difference in the velocity from impaction to line of the arch, at 0.39mm/wk and 0.35mm/wk in the control and test groups. Alveolar-decortication is not associated with additional pain or discomfort. CONCLUSIONS The use of alveolar-decortication does not reduce the treatment time to align palatally impacted canines. Alveolar-decortication does not increase the duration of surgery, and is not associated with increased pain or need for analgesics