[Digital evaluation of supracrestal gingival thickness induced by periodontal regenerative and corticotomy surgery in patients with skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion]

Objective: To establish a quantitative three-dimensional method based on intraoral scan to evaluate the changes of soft tissue, and to evaluate the changes of supracrestal gingival thickness (SGT) in skeletal class Ⅲ patients induced by periodontal regenerative and corticotomy surgery (PRCS). Methods: Twenty-two systematically and periodontally healthy skeletal class Ⅲ patients (4 males and 18 females, aged between 19 and 35 years), who were in need of combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment and referred to the Department of Periodontology from the Department of Orthodontics and the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Peking University School and Hospital of Stomatology from January, 2018 to March, 2019, were collected in the study. The teeth involved were 112 anterior teeth (46 maxillary anterior teeth and 66 mandibular anterior teeth). PRCS in anterior tooth area was conducted before orthodontic decompensation. Probing depth (PD), bleeding index (BI) and keratinized gingiva width (KGW) were recorded before surgery and 6 months post-surgery. The intraoral digital impressions of maxillary and mandibular anterior teeth were obtained by 3-shape intraoral scanner before surgery and 6 months after surgery. The Standard Tessellation Language (STL) files were processed using Geomagic qualify 12.2 software to establish the soft tissue morphological measurement model, and to quantitatively analyze the changes of gingival thickness situated 1 to 2 mm apical to the free gingival margin on the median sagittal measurement plane. Results: Probing depth and bleeding index had no significant difference before and 6 months after operation (P>0.05). KGW in 6-month post-operation group [(5.18±2.32) mm] was significantly higher than that in pre-operation group [(4.22±1.43) mm] (P<0.05). Supracrestal gingival thickness situated 1 to 2 mm apical to the free gingival margin also significantly increased 6 months after surgery (P<0.05). The changes of gingival thickness situated 1 to 2 mm apical to the free gingival margin in the upper anterior area were (0.68±0.56) and (1.00±0.69) mm, respectively. The changes in the lower anterior area were (0.38±0.42) and (0.58±0.45) mm, respectively. The gingival changes of the upper anterior teeth were also significantly higher than those of the lower anterior teeth (P<0.01). Conclusions: The described quantitative measurement based on intraoral scan could be an effective method for quantitative evaluation of the changes of soft tissue. PRCS could safely increase the supracrestal gingival thickness as well as KGW in skeletal class Ⅲ patients who were in need of combined orthodontic-orthognathic treatment.

Macroscopic and radiographic aspects of orthodontic movement associated with corticotomy: animal study

INTRODUCTION

To quantify the rate of tooth movement in two corticotomy protocols in an experimental model in rats through macroscopic and radiographic analysis.

METHODS

The animals were divided into three groups: orthodontic movement (CO), orthodontic movement plus corticotomy surgery (G2), and orthodontic movement and corticotomy surgery with decorticalization (G3).The euthanasia occurred in 7 and 14 days. The data were statistically analyzed (p < 0.05).

RESULTS

The CO presented lower distance between the mesial surface of the first molar and the distal surface of the third molar when compared to the G2 (6.96 ± 0.24, p = 0.009) and G3 (6.93 ± 0.18, p = 0.016) in the macroscopic analysis. In the 7 days, there was no statistically significant radiographic difference between the three groups: CO(0.94 ± 0.21 mm²), G2(1.05 ± 0,27 mm²), and G3(1.08 ± 0.27 mm²).There was a statistically significant difference between CO (0.87 ± 0.12 mm²), G2 (1.00 ± 0.12 mm²), and G3 (1.11 ± 0.14 mm²) at 14 days. There was a statistically significant linear difference between the groups in all periods.

CONCLUSION

Tooth movement and the region of interest were influenced by corticotomy, regardless of the surgical technique in the 14 days.