Corticotomy or osteotomy may alter periodontal ligament strain during molar uprighting: Study

The initial tooth displacement and periodontal ligament (PDL) strain in 9 finite element analysis models with various corticotomy and osteotomy simulations were compared under 3 intended tooth movement scenarios: distal crown tipping, mesial root movement with restraints, and mesial root movement without restraints. The impact of corticotomy and osteotomy on molar uprighting was studied.

The following findings were observed-

a. Corticotomy or osteotomy approaches altered the tooth displacement and the PDL strain in all 3 intended molar uprighting scenarios.

b. The 2 most extensive surgical approaches, the combined mesial and distal osteotomy with horizontal corticotomy and the circumferential corticotomy at root apex level, resulted in increased tooth movement but had a distinct impact on PDL strain.

As a result, the authors concluded that different combinations of corticotomy and osteotomy had a biomechanical impact on orthodontic molar uprighting movements.

They further inferred that corticotomy or osteotomy has altered the periodontal ligament strain during molar uprighting and that the results may contribute to an optimal treatment protocol for molar uprighting.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2020.06.034