Augmented corticotomy-assisted surgical orthodontics decompensates lower incisors in Class III malocclusion patients.

PURPOSE: To quantitatively evaluate lower incisor decompensation and the surrounding periodontal region after augmented corticotomy-assisted surgical orthodontics in patients with Class III malocclusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled patients with severe Class III malocclusion who underwent augmented corticotomy in the lower anterior region before orthodontic surgery. Cone-beam computed tomograms and lateral cephalograms were obtained before treatment (T0), after presurgical orthodontic treatment (T1), and at removal of the orthodontic surgical appliances (T2). Repeated measures analysis of variance was used to compare variables at each time point: root length (RL), anterior vertical alveolar bone level at the labial side (AVBL), posterior vertical alveolar bone level at the lingual side (PVBL), labial alveolar bone thickness at the apex (LA), lingual alveolar bone thickness at the apex (LP), and angle of the incisor to the mandibular plane (L1-MP).

RESULTS: In the 8 subjects studied, RL was maintained from T0 to T2 (P > .05), whereas AVBL and PVBL increased from T0 to T1 (P < .05) and then decreased from T1 to T2 (P < .05). LA and L1-MP increased from T0 to T1 (P < .001) but remained steady from T1 to T2 (P > .05). LP decreased from T0 to T1 (P < .05) but increased from T1 to T2 (P < .05) with no further change.

CONCLUSIONS: Augmented corticotomy-assisted surgical orthodontics can achieve adequate tooth decompensation with minimal periodontal side-effects in the lower anterior region in patients with Class III malocclusion.