The effect of alveolar decortication on orthodontically induced root resorption.

Objective: To determine the effect of alveolar decortication on orthodontically induced root resorption.

Materials And Methods: A total of 24 male Wistar rats (14 week old) were used. The rats were randomly divided into one of the following three groups: group 1 (control group), orthodontic tooth movement (OTM) for 2 weeks; group 2, OTM for 2 weeks + two alveolar decortications (2AD); group 3, OTM for 2 weeks + four alveolar decortications (4AD). The first molar was moved mesially for 2 weeks. Micro computed tomography was used to analyze root volume. In addition, histological sections were stained with Tartrate Resistant Acid Phosphatase (TRAP) to quantify the osteoclast number.

Results: The buccal root volume in OTM + 4AD group was decreased by 8.92% and 6.11% when compared with the OTM-only group and OTM + 2AD group, respectively. Similarly, the other four root volumes in the OTM + 4AD group was decreased by 8.99% and 5.24% when compared with the OTM-only group and OTM + 2AD group, respectively. There was a decrease in buccal root density in the OTM + 4AD group by 4.66% and 3.56% when compared with the OTM-only group and the OTM + 2AD group, respectively. In addition, there was an increase in the number of osteoclasts by 195.73% and 98.74% in OTM + 4AD group in comparison with the OTM and OTM + 2AD group.

Conclusions: The amount of orthodontically induced root resorption was positively correlated with the extent of surgical injury used to accelerate orthodontic tooth movement.