Single Versus Repeated Piezocision-assisted Orthodontic Tooth Movement: a Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial

Measurement of molar anchorage loss

时间窗: 12 weeks

Perpendicular lines will be drawn from the central fossae of both maxillary right and left first molars to the mid-palatal raphe. Consequently, molar anchorage loss will be calculated by measuring the distance between those lines, and the lines representing the third rugae as previously mentioned.

Measurement of canine root resorption

时间窗: 12 weeks

Root resorption of the maxillary canines will be evaluated and measured by comparing pre-retraction and post-retraction CBCT scans.

Alveolar bone volume

时间窗: 12 weeks

From the pre- and post-retraction CBCTs (at T0 and T1), bone volume in areas of the maxillary alveolar process surrounding the canines will be measured using a special software.

Measurement of canine retraction

时间窗: 12 weeks

Several landmarks will be identified on the dental arch, including the mid-palatal raphe, the most medial points on the third right and left rugae, and the cusp tips of the right and left maxillary canines. Perpendicular lines will be drawn from the medial points of the right and left third rugae, and the cusp tips of the right and left maxillary canines to the mid-palatal raphe. The antero-posterior measurements will be carried out between the canine lines and the third rugae lines bilaterally, to assess the rate of canine retraction.

Bone Microstructure (Fractal Dimension)

时间窗: 12 weeks

Using the collected CBCT scans, the region of interest will be selected within the maxillary alveolar process, and the fractal dimension analysis will be performed using a special software for the maxillary canines in the experimental and control groups.

Alveolar bone density

时间窗: 12 weeks

From the acquired pre- and post-retraction CBCTs, bone density will be measured form a coronal cross-section of the maxillary arch around each canine in the experimental and control groups.

Alveolar bone thickness

时间窗: 12 weeks

The buccal bone thickness will also be measured at three points from the buccal bone to the root, at the coronal, mid-root, and apical level for each maxillary canine

Maxillary canine tipping

时间窗: 12 weeks

Tipping of the maxillary canine during retraction was evaluated by drawing vertical lines on the palatal surfaces of the lateral incisor and the canine that extend from the middle of the incisal edge of the lateral incisor and the cusp tip of the maxillary canine to the middle of the cervical line of each, thereby dividing each of them into equal halves. The distance between the lateral incisor and the canine was assessed at two points on their clinical crowns: incisal, and cervical, enabling the detection of crown tipping of the canine during retraction if there was a difference in the measurements between the both the assessed levels.