Complications in surgically assisted rapid tooth movement

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study assessed the surgical complications after surgically assisted rapid tooth movement. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 78 patients performed surgically assisted rapid tooth movement in department of oral and maxillofacial surgery, Wonkwang university from January in 2000 to December 2002 were classified by 4 types and assessed complications. Complications in surgically assisted rapid tooth movement were divided into tooth related, periodontal related, and mechanical related complications. RESULT: There were few intraoperative or postoperative complications. In total 78 patients, gingival recession was most commonly observed in 6 cases, and transient pulpal hyperemia, root fracture, root resorption, crestal bone loss, tooth tipping and anchorage loss were observed. But most complications were not clinically significant, and did not interfere postoperative orthodontic treatments. CONCLUSIONS: Based on this study, surgically assisted rapid tooth movement have no clinically significant complications, but adequate diagnosis, careful surgical management were required for avoiding these complications.