Association between alveolar bone height changes in mandibular incisors and three-dimensional tooth movement in non-extraction orthodontic treatment with Invisalign

Objective The purpose of this study was to investigate associations between alveolar bone height changes on the labial and lingual sides in mandibular incisors and three-dimensional orthodontic tooth movement, involving apex displacement, tooth inclination, and angulation. Materials and Methods The samples consisted of 43 adult patients treated with Invisalign aligners. All subjects were skeletal Class I patients without extraction in mandible. Pre-treatment and post-treatment cone-beam computed tomographic images were obtained to measure labial and lingual alveolar bone height and bone thickness at apex level in four mandibular incisors. An x, y, z coordinate system, superimposing on mandibular body, was established to analyse three-dimensional apex movement and tooth inclination and angulation changes. Multiple linear regression was applied to identify the determining factors of marginal bone changes during orthodontic treatment. Results Three directions of apex movement (anteroposterior, vertical, transverse) significantly associated with alveolar bone height changes. Inclination changes had a strong effect on lingual marginal bone, while tooth angulation had no significant effect on alveolar bone height. Incisors with lingual bodily movement were more susceptible to lingual marginal bone recession compared with lingual tipping movement. Conclusions Alveolar bone height changes on the labial and lingual sides were associated with three-dimensional apex movement, inclination changes, and movement patterns. Appropriate tooth movement should be considered to avoid excessive marginal bone loss around mandibular incisors.