ABSTRACT
AIMS: To evaluate changes in transverse dimensions of upper arch and thickness of the buccal bone plate in patients undergoing orthodontic treatment during the leveling phase. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Sixteen patients aged between 11 and 30 years, presenting with class I and II malocclusion, with minimum of 2 mm crowding treated without extraction, were divided into two groups: GI (n = 8), self-ligating brackets (Easyclip Aditek), and GII (n = 8), conventional preadjusted brackets (3M Unitek). The intercanines, interpremolar, and intermolar widths were measured in dental casts using a digital caliper, before (T1) and after 6 months of treatment (T2). Measurements of the thickness of the bone plate were performed by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) scans and Dolphin three-dimensional program. Paired and nonpaired t tests were applied to analyze the results in and between the groups for the changes in the transversal arch dimensions and buccal bone thickness. RESULTS: In all statistical tests, the significance level was set at 5%. A nonsignificant increase in transverse dimensions and a slight reduction on thickness of the buccal bone plate were observed in both groups. CONCLUSION: The dimensional changes of transverse and thickness of the bone plate during the initial phase of treatment were similar, regardless of the bracket design. CLINICAL SIGNIFICANCE: It should be noted that the bracket design does not influence the treatment course regarding transversal dimensions and buccal bone thickness.
