Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to compare the extent of buccal bone defects (dehiscences and fenestrations) and transversal tooth movement of mandibular lateral segments in patients after orthodontic treatment with and without Piezocision in Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and digital dental models (DDM). Materials and Methods: The study sample of this study consisted of CBCT scans and digital dental models taken before (T0) and after (T1) orthodontic treatment for 36 patients with moderate lower anterior crowding. The experimental group consisted of 17 patients that had Piezocision performed at the beginning of treatment with the goal of accelerating tooth movement, compared to 19 patients who did not receive Piezocision. The measurement of bone defects, bucco-lingual inclination and transversal distances of the tooth in the mandibular lateral segments (lower canines, premolars, and first molars) were evaluated at baseline and at the end of the orthodontic treatment. Results: Overall, an increase in dehiscences, buccal inclination and arch width from T0 to T1 was observed in both groups, but no statistically significant difference was found between the groups. Significant increase in fenestrations from T0 to T1 was observed only for the canines in the experimental group. No statistically significant association was found between the increase of dehiscences and the amount of bucco-lingual inclination or transversal width changes. However, the changes in transversal width were statistically significant associated with the increase in buccal inclination at the canines, first and second premolars. Conclusions: There were no significant differences in buccal dehiscences and transversal tooth movement (bucco-lingual inclination and arch width) of mandibular lateral segments between patients after orthodontic treatment with and without Piezocision.