3D Analysis of Tooth Movement Using 3D Technology.

Twenty-three patients underwent extraction of a single premolar in each of the four quadrants prior to orthodontic therapy. Routine clinical records including 3D CBCT images were acquired of all patients prior to first premolar extractions. Rate of tooth movement in each quadrant for each patient was determined via mesiodistal millimetric measurements obtained by a single calibrated operator. With CBCT images, cortical bone thickness was measured at various levels from the alveolar crest along the long axis of the to-be-extracted first premolars. The association between cortical bone thickness and rate of tooth movement was analyzed. Statistically significant associations were found between rate of tooth movement and cortical bone thickness at levels 2 mm, 5 mm, and 8 mm, apical to the alveolar crest in both the right and left maxillary quadrants (p < 0.05). Statistically significant associations were found between rate of tooth movement and cortical bone thickness at levels 5 mm and 8 mm apical to the alveolar crest in both mandibular quadrants (p < 0.05). Increased cortical bone thickness was associated with decreased rate of tooth movement. There was no statistically significant association between rate of tooth movement and cortical bone thickness 2 mm apical to the alveolar crest of the to-be-extracted first premolars in the mandibular left nor right quadrants (p > 0.05). Results suggest an inverse relationship may exist between cortical bone thickness and rate of tooth movement in both the maxilla and mandible. Cortical bone thickness may have the potential to serve as a predictive tool for rate of orthodontic tooth movement.