Abstract
Orthodontics in adults must adapt to certain particularities especially related to the decrease or absence of growth and the prevalence of periodontal damage in this population. This review of the literature aims to assess the effects of alveolar corticotomies on accelerating or facilitating tooth movements in different types of orthodontic movements, to compare results obtained by classical technique with those obtained by piezocision and analyze their impact on periodontal tissues in the long term. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Research was performed with Medline, Embase and Cochrane databases, beginning in January 2000. Every study, selected through its title and abstract, was then evaluated through its full content. A total of 65 studies were included. RESULTS: All studies showed that corticotomies temporarily facilitate accelerated orthodontic tooth movement, with minimal complications. No periodontal lesion, loss of pulpal vitality or severe root resorption were reported. DISCUSSION: Only a few studies have examined control groups treated with conventional orthodontics. Corticotomy allows temporary acceleration of orthodontic tooth movement. Piezocision is less invasive and performed in certain indications; it also lightens the postoperative complications. However, the fact that using alveolar corticotomies significantly decreases the treatment time remains uncertain, due to the lack of significant data. Further prospective randomized clinical studies are necessary to analyze more precisely the decrease in the overall treatment time, improved periodontal support and stability of orthodontic treatment results in the long term following the alveolar corticotomies.