Elevation of a full-thickness mucoperiosteal flap alone accelerates orthodontic tooth movement.

INTRODUCTION: Our objective was to determine whether the elevation of a full-thickness mucoperiosteal flap alone, without cortical cuts, decreases the amount of bone around teeth and accelerates mesial tooth movements.

METHODS: The mandibular second premolars of 7 beagle dogs were extracted, and on a randomly selected side, a full-thickness mucoperiosteal buccal flap extending from the distal aspect of the third premolar to the mesial aspect of the first premolar was elevated. The other side did not receive flap surgery. The mandibular third premolars were protracted with orthodontic appliances. Tooth movements were analyzed biweekly over an 8-week period with calipers and radiographs. The amount and density of bone were analyzed using microcomputed tomography; bone remodeling was evaluated with histologic sections.

RESULTS: Experimental tooth movements measured intraorally between cusp tips were significantly greater (25.3%) than control tooth movements. The approximate center of resistance measured radiographically also moved significantly more (about 31%) on the experimental than on the control side. The experimental premolar tipped more than the control premolar (10.5° vs 8.7°), but the difference was not statistically significant. The medullary bone volume fraction mesial to the third premolar was significantly less (9.1%) and the bone was significantly less dense (9%) on the experimental side than on the control side. Histology showed no apparent side differences in the numbers of osteoclasts and osteoblasts evident in the medullary bone.

CONCLUSIONS: Elevation of a full-thickness mucoperiosteal flap alone (ie, without injury to bone) decreases the amount and density of medullary bone surrounding the tooth and accelerates tooth movement. Due to its limited effects, elevation of a flap alone to increase tooth movements may not be justified.