Orthodontic closure of old, edentulous spaces in the mandibular posterior region is a major challenge. In this report, we describe a method of orthodontic closure of edentulous spaces in the mandibular posterior region accelerated by piezoelectric decortication and alveolar ridge expansion. Combined piezosurgical and orthodontic treatments were used to close 14- and 15-mm-wide spaces in the mandibular left and right posterior areas, respectively, of a female patient, aged 18 years and 9 months, diagnosed with skeletal Class III malocclusion, hypodontia, and polydiastemas. After the piezoelectric decortication, segmental and full-arch mechanics were applied in the orthodontic phase. Despite some extent of root resorption and anchorage loss, the edentulous spaces were closed, and adequate function and esthetics were regained without further restorative treatment. Alveolar ridge expansion-assisted orthodontic space closure seems to be an effective and relatively less-invasive treatment alternative for edentulous spaces in the mandibular posterior region.
Alveolar Process* ; Anodontia ; Esthetics ; Female ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; Mechanics ; Orthodontic Space Closure* ; Root Resorption ; Tooth Movement

Prophylactic removal of impacted third molars is a common procedure in dentistry, but the necessity of routine extraction is still controversial. When impacted third molars caused severe apical root resorption of the second molars, orthodontic traction of the third molars after extraction of the damaged second molars could minimize alveolar bone defect and preserve the patient's natural teeth. By well-planned orthodontic treatment, functional occlusion was established avoiding extraction of the impacted teeth and eliminating the possibility of a large bone defect after extraction.
Dentistry ; Molar* ; Molar, Third* ; Orthodontic Space Closure ; Root Resorption ; Tooth ; Tooth, Impacted ; Traction*

Long-term missing teeth can lead to alveolar bone loss in the edentulous area. Guided bone regeneration (GBR) is a bone augmentation method. It is widely used in clinical practice and broadens the indications of orthodontic treatment to a certain extent. This article reports a case of an adult patient with edentulous space in the maxillary central incisor, which was successfully closed through orthodontic treatment combined with GBR. This study will provide a re-ference for future clinical work.
Adult ; Alveolar Bone Loss ; Anodontia ; Bone Regeneration ; Humans ; Incisor ; Maxilla ; Orthodontic Space Closure

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate alterations of papilla dimensions after orthodontic closure of the diastema between maxillary central incisors. METHODS: Sixty patients who had a visible diastema between maxillary central incisors that had been closed by orthodontic approximation were selected for this study. Various papilla dimensions were assessed on clinical photographs and study models before the orthodontic treatment and at the follow-up examination after closure of the diastema. Influences of the variables assessed before orthodontic treatment on the alterations of papilla height (PH) and papilla base thickness (PBT) were evaluated by univariate regression analysis. To analyze potential influences of the 3-dimensional papilla dimensions before orthodontic treatment on the alterations of PH and PBT, a multiple regression model was formulated including the 3-dimensional papilla dimensions as predictor variables. RESULTS: On average, PH decreased by 0.80 mm and PBT increased after orthodontic closure of the diastema (P<0.01). Univariate regression analysis revealed that the PH (P=0.002) and PBT (P=0.047) before orthodontic treatment influenced the alteration of PH. With respect to the alteration of PBT, the diastema width (P=0.045) and PBT (P=0.000) were found to be influential factors. PBT before the orthodontic treatment significantly influenced the alteration of PBT in the multiple regression model. CONCLUSIONS: PH decreased but PBT increased after orthodontic closure of the diastema. The papilla dimensions before orthodontic treatment influenced the alterations of PH and PBT after closure of the diastema. The PBT increased more when the diastema width before the orthodontic treatment was larger.
Diastema* ; Esthetics, Dental ; Follow-Up Studies ; Gingiva ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Incisor ; Longitudinal Studies* ; Orthodontic Space Closure ; Retrospective Studies*

Anodontia ; complications ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Dentition, Mixed ; Humans ; Malocclusion ; complications ; therapy ; Orthodontic Space Closure ; methods ; Orthodontics, Corrective ; Radiography, Panoramic