ABSTRACT
Objective@#To investigate the effects of maxillary orthodontic expansion on the alveolar bone tissue in adult patients treated with aligners by using conebeam computed tomography. @*Methods@#Thirty patients (22 females and 8 males; mean age: 36.3 years) were treated with Invisalign® aligners. Conebeam computed tomography and digital models were obtained before (T0) and after (T1) upper arch expansion. The bone thicknesses in the cervical, middle, and apical areas of the incisors, canines, premolar, and first molars were buccally and palatally measured, totaling 96 areas and 2,880 measurements.The buccolingual inclinations and transverse measurements of the teeth were obtained from digital models to correlate them with the bone changes. The statistical tests used were Student’s t-test, analysis of variance, and Pearson’s correlation tests (p < 0.05). @*Results@#From the 96 areas evaluated, 84 revealed an increase or stability in the alveolar bone thickness and twelve displayed significant bone loss. Bone changes did not correlate with the tooth inclination and transverse measurements. @*Conclusions@#Within the limitation of the present study, mild levels of upper arch expansion obtained with Invisalign® aligners in adult patients did not result in any clinically significant loss of alveolar bone thickness.
ABSTRACT
In this report, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the Invisalign® system in the treatment of severe gingival recession and bone dehiscence through torque, translation, and intrusion movements in a young woman. Cone-beam computed tomography was used to assess bone parameters and check the teeth during treatment. The root of the mandibular right central incisor, which was buccally positioned and exhibited bone dehiscence of 9.4 mm, was moved toward the center of the alveolar process by using the Invisalign® system and SmartForce® features. The patient was monitored by a periodontist throughout the orthodontic treatment period. Her gingival recession reduced, while the bone dehiscence reduced from 9.40 mm to 3.14 mm. Thus, movement of the root into the alveolus promoted bone neoformation and treated the gingival recession. The findings from this case suggest that orthodontic treatment using the Invisalign® system, along with periodontal monitoring, can aid in the treatment of gingival recession and alveolar defects.
ABSTRACT
In this report, we demonstrate the effectiveness of the Invisalign® system in the treatment of severe gingival recession and bone dehiscence through torque, translation, and intrusion movements in a young woman. Cone-beam computed tomography was used to assess bone parameters and check the teeth during treatment. The root of the mandibular right central incisor, which was buccally positioned and exhibited bone dehiscence of 9.4 mm, was moved toward the center of the alveolar process by using the Invisalign® system and SmartForce® features. The patient was monitored by a periodontist throughout the orthodontic treatment period. Her gingival recession reduced, while the bone dehiscence reduced from 9.40 mm to 3.14 mm. Thus, movement of the root into the alveolus promoted bone neoformation and treated the gingival recession. The findings from this case suggest that orthodontic treatment using the Invisalign® system, along with periodontal monitoring, can aid in the treatment of gingival recession and alveolar defects.