Orthodontic procedures that improve the periodontal prognosis.

Osseous defects not amenable to conventional resective or regenerative osseous surgery alone may respond to a combination of orthodontic and periodontal techniques. Two orthodontic procedures-correction of mesially tipped teeth and forced eruption-have been described that may enhance the periodontal prognosis. Each procedure is accomplished with use of sectional orthodontic appliances and each requires a short time for treatment. Beneficial results include improvement of the crown-to-root ratio, reception of the forces of occlusion in the long axis of the tooth, and reduction or elimination of infrabony defects.