Introduction

  The aim of this study was to investigate differences in the periodontal outcomes of palatally displaced canines (PDC) exposed with either an open or a closed surgical technique.

 Methods

  A multicenter, randomized controlled trial was undertaken in 3 hospitals in the United Kingdom, involving 2 parallel groups. Patients with unilateral PDC were randomly allocated to receive either an open or a closed surgical exposure. Periodontal health was assessed 3 months after removal of fixed appliances. Parameters measured included clinical attachment levels, recession, alveolar bone levels, and clinical crown height.

 Results

  Data from 62 participants (closed, 29 open, 33) were analyzed. There was no difference between PDC exposed with an open vs a closed surgical technique (mean difference, 0.1 mm 95% confidence interval [CI], −0.2-0.5). There was, however, a statistical difference in mean attachment loss between the operated and unoperated (contralateral) canines (mean difference, 0.5 mm 96% CI, 0.4-0.7 P <0.001). Twenty of the 62 subjects had some recession on the palatal aspect of the operated canine, whereas only 4 subjects had some visible root surface on the palatal aspect on the unoperated side (P = 0.001).

 Conclusions

  There is a periodontal impact when a unilateral PDC is exposed and aligned. This impact is small and unlikely to have clinical relevance in the short term however, the long-term significance is unknown. When the open and closed techniques were compared, no difference in periodontal health was found.

 Source: American Journal of Orthodontics & Dentofacial Orthopedics

 Full Text