Accelerated Orthodontic Tooth Movement in Adult Patients by Subsequent Micro-osteoperforations of Maxillary Cortical Bone

Abstract

Objective: Determine if orthodontic tooth movement during space closure is accelerated after subsequent micro-osteoperforations (MOPs). Methods: Five adults requiring maxillary 1st premolar extractions participated. MOPs were performed unilaterally in the extraction site at the beginning of the study and four weeks later. Canines were retracted bilaterally and space closure was measured after two months. Results: Overall, the canine retraction rate was 0.34mm greater on the MOP side compared to the control side but showed statistically insignificant differences. When compared to our initial study, which only had one MOP application, canine retraction was 0.24mm greater but, again, was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The results of this study show that the experimental side had greater retraction of than the control side. However, the difference was not statistically significant. More studies are needed to study the extent and duration of effects of MOPs on tooth movement in humans.