Comparison of the effects of three surgical techniques on the rate of orthodontic tooth movement in a rat model.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of corticotomy and corticision, with and without a full mucoperiosteal flap, on the rate of tooth movement and alveolar response in a rat model.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixty male, 6-week-old Wistar rats were divided into five groups based on surgical procedure, as follows: control (no tooth movement), orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) only, corticotomy, corticision, and corticision with full mucoperiosteal flap (corticision + flap). A force of 10-15g was applied from the maxillary left first molar to the maxillary incisors using nickel-titanium springs. Surgery was performed at the time of appliance placement (day 0), and tooth movement occurred for 21 days. Micro-computed tomography was performed on day 21 to evaluate the amount of tooth movement and alveolar bone parameters. Histomorphometry, including tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase staining, was performed to quantify the osteoclast parameters at day 21.

RESULTS: No statistical differences in the amount of OTM, bone volume fraction, and tissue density and the osteoclast parameters were found among all experimental groups.

CONCLUSIONS: Corticotomy and corticision, with or without a full mucoperiosteal flap, did not show a significant effect on either the OTM magnitude or alveolar bone response.