Does corticotomy accelerate canine retraction with adequate anchorage control? A split mouth randomized controiled trial

Purpose: To assess the effects of corticotomy on the distal movement of canine and to assess the amount of molar anchor loss. Materials and Methods: 14 patients were selected for this prospective, split-mouth, randomized controlled trial. After bilateral maxillary first premolar extractions, corticotomy was done distal to canine on one side and 150 g of force was applied. The rate of canine and molar movement, tipping and rotation were evaluated for control and experimental side. The movement of canine and anchor loss was assessed at an interval of 3 weeks, using study models, till single canine retraction was complete. Subjective assessment of the post-surgical pain, swelling, discomfort and an overall patient perception of the surgical procedure was assessed at two time points. Results: There was a significant increase in the rate of canine movement on the experiment side at T1 and T2 (p <= 0.01). Anchor loss was found to be present on both the sides but the difference was not statistically significant (p > 0.05). The mesiodistal tipping of canine was found to be greater on the control side than the experiment side whereas there was no statistically significant difference in the mesiodistal tipping of the molar on either side (p > 0.05). The experiment group showed a greater rotation of canine than the control (p <= 0.05), however, the rotation of molar was statistically insignificant. Conclusion: Corticotomy-assisted canine retraction causes a significant increase in the rate of canine retraction for the initial 2 months of the post-corticotomy period.