Assessment of Dimensional Bony Changes Following Laser Corticotomy in Rapid Canine Retraction

Orthodontic tooth movement generates complex mechanical loading patterns with corresponding complex biological responses in the periodontal tissues. This will occur only if the hard tissue around the tooth can undergo proper breakdown and build-up . The primary trigger factor responsible for orthodontic tooth movement is the strain experienced by the periodontal ligament (PDL) cells and the extracellular matrix. This strain results in alteration in the gene expression within the cells, with a production of various cytokines and chemokines, capillary vasodilatation within periodontal ligament, and migration of inflammatory cells with more cytokine production and subsequent alveolar bone remodeling in response to mechanical loading .

On application of orthodontic force, the compression region within the PDL shows increased osteoclastic activity,whereas in the tension region, there is proliferation of osteoblasts and mineralization of the extracellular matrix . In general, molecules that have been linked to tensile strains and act by stimulating osteoblast progenitor cell proliferation in the periodontal ligament, with subsequent bone formation and inhibition of bone resorption similar to orthodontic tooth movement, include transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-b), various bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), and epidermal growth factor (EGF) . On the other hand, Interleukin-1 beta (IL-1β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), CC chemokines ligand 2 (CCL2), and other inflammatory cytokines regulate osteoclastic activity through the activation of the nuclear factor kappa B (RANK) and the nuclear factor kappa B ligand (RANKL) .

Corticotomy for rapid tooth movement was introduced in 1959 by Köle to cut the alveolar bone and move a tooth. He practiced corticotomy and osteotomy on various malocclusion cases. Vertically, the cortical and marrow bone between the teeth were partially removed, and either a subapical horizontal cut with alveolar bone cutting at a distance of one cm. from the apex or only a cortical osteotomy excluding the marrow bone was performed .

Conventional treatment with fixed appliances likely requires an average of 1.5 to 2 years, resulting in a canine retraction rate of 0.5 to 1mm per month. Therefore, other modalities have been used to accelerate OTM such as pulsed electromagnetic field, corticotomy, dento-alveolar distraction, periodontal ligament distraction, and laser therapy Laser-based technology was a dream for oral surgery to find a new tool for bone cutting. Using of pulsed erbium-doped yttrium aluminium garnet (Er:YAG) lasers showed effective cutting tool with minimum degree of carbonization. Also, it can effectively accelerate canine retraction with no complications or discomfort for the patients. The Erbium laser affects the cortical bone, leading to RAP without postsurgical complications