Corticotomy as a procedure supporting orthodontic treatment Case report

Orthodontic treatment aims to improve aesthetics and functions of the stomatognathic system. Acceleration of final outcomes of treatment is beneficial due to the growing expectations of patients, and at the same time it reduces the risk of complications such as enamel demineralisation, caries, tooth root resorption, gingivitis and periodontitis. Corticotomy, defined as a surgical procedure aimed to cut or perforate the outer compact bone, is an effective surgical procedure shortening duration of orthodontic treatment. Bone damage caused by a corticotomy cut begins a cascade of demineralisation and remineralisation processes. As a result, there is temporary osteopenia characterised by decreased bone density, and thus reduced resistance to tooth movements. The use of this technique enables tooth movements that are a challenge for conventional orthodontic methods and improves the stability of the obtained outcomes. Thanks to the additional use of augmentation materials, hard tissue thickness changes favourably.

Aim
The aim of the study was to present the procedure of corticotomy and augmentation of hard tissues of the alveolar process of the maxilla in order to support orthodontic treatment in a female patient who had difficulties with proper teeth alignment in the dental arch characterised by a thin morphotype of the appendix bone.

Material and methods
Treatment included a surgical method of piezocision with a xenogeneic material.

Results
Orthodontic treatment applied after piezocision lead to normal alignment of teeth in the maxilla. Thin bone morphotype present before the procedure has been favourably changed with a biomaterial.

Conclusions
In the present case, corticotomy enabled the implementation of planned orthodontic treatment.