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.