Repair of a defect following the removal of an impacted maxillary canine by orthodontic tooth movement: a case report

Surgical removal of impacted tooth in the anterior region can create an alveolar bone defect. Orthodontic tooth movement of adjacent teeth, which triggers bone remodelling, can be used to induce bone to repair the defect. However, this type of orthodontic movement is very challenging and it is related to a variety of problems. These problems and the strategies to overcome them are listed below.

Firstly, the condition requires substantial amount of bodily movement of adjacent teeth. The movement of force required to produce bodily movement is difficult to control [1]. Even when orthodontic forces are applied in the desired direction, it is difficult to produce the amount of root movement required because a large hyalinised layer will be created [2]. This will result in slow tooth movement and root resorption. The risk for the latter is increased if the tooth has short and blunted root [3]. In addition, the roots of the upper anterior teeth are close to the cortical bone of the maxilla, which is an area of reduced vascularisation. This results in delayed bone remodelling and tooth movement. In order to produce efficient root movement induce bone formation and reduce risk of root resorption, light orthodontic force will be needed. This can be achieved by segmental wire with frictionless mechanics coupled with slight activation during treatment.

On the other hand, the buccal bone covering the anterior teeth is thin. This creates another risk factor for bone dehiscence and gingival recession. To overcome this, palatal root torque is needed during orthodontic movement of the tooth to increase the buccal bone thickness, decrease the risk of bone dehiscence and decrease the risk of gingival recession [4, 5].

To understand the above problem and to illustrate the technique and mechanics for the correction, it is desirable to use an actual case for presentation. Therefore, the following case with a bone defect coupled with short and blunt root of the adjacent teeth is presented.

A 13-year-old boy was presented with a Class I skeletal base and a Class I incisor relationship with increased mandibular plane angle and increased lower facial heights. Extraoral examination demonstrated facial symmetry and a straight profile. The upper left central and lateral incisors were in crossbite. The upper dental centreline was deviated 1.0 mm to the left of the mid-facial axis. The lips were competent at rest. There was 3.0 mm of incisor show on smiling.

Intra-oral examination revealed fair oral hygiene. There were no active carious lesions. In the maxillary arch, there was a bony defect mesial to the upper left central incisor. A space of 5.5 mm existed in the alveolar ridge where the upper left canine was extracted. The upper left central incisor was buccally displaced and the lateral incisor was palatally displaced. There was anterior mandibular displacement of 2 mm upon closure. The left central and lateral incisors were in crossbite and were retroclined relative to the maxillary plane (Figure 1).

In the mandibular arch the labial segment was mildly crowded and retroclined relative to the mandibular plane. There was a curve of Spee measuring 2 mm at its deepest part (Figure 1).

In centric occlusion, the incisor relationship was Class I with overjet of 4 mm at the right central incisors, and with a reverse overjet of 0.5 mm and a reduced and incomplete overbite. The molar relationship was Class I. There was a decreased buccal overjet at the posterior segments.

Radiographic examination confirmed the absence of the upper right canine and the presence of unerupted third molars and no carious lesions were detected. The upper left central incisor showed short root, and the lower incisors showed pipette shaped roots (Figure 2).

The cephalometric analysis showed a skeletal Class I base (ANB and Wit's appraisal) with slightly retrognathic maxilla. The upper and lower facial heights were increased. There was an increased mandibular plane angle which was in agreement with increased lower facial height, but in good proportion with the upper facial height. The lower incisors were retroclined, and were on the Point A- Po line (Figure 3)

The aims of the treatment were: 1. To close upper anterior space by mesialization of 21, 2. To eliminate anterior crossbite by proclination of displaced upper anterior teeth, 3. To relieve lower crowding and flatten curve of Spee.

The treatment plan was orthodontic treatment with fixed pre-adjusted appliance without extraction in the upper arch; and extraction of 34 in the lower arch. The abnormal positioning of 21 and 22 posed the main problem, and was exaggerated by the bony defect. Proper biomechanics were needed to mesialize the displaced tooth 21 into the anterior space to repair the bony defect.

Bone defect is one of the greatest problems in clinical orthodontics. Without bone, orthodontic tooth movement is not possible. Management of bony defect by bone grafting is the preferred method of treatment [6]. Bone grafting followed by subsequent orthodontic treatment has been shown to be highly successful in eliminating bony defect [7]. Orthodontic tooth movement is a stimulating factor for bone apposition [8]. It was also shown that enhanced bone healing following orthodontic movement where the defect involved periodontal structures [9]. Total bony apposition was 6.5 fold larger with the orthodontic tooth movement into the surgical bony defects in rats [8]. It has been reported that slight gentle orthodontic forces from the use of laceback ligature technique is effective in correction of bone deficient alveolar ridge [10].

This case report demonstrated an alternative method in the correction of bony defect. The treatment sequence and mechanics took into consideration the advantages of frictionless mechanics (closing loop), and the light force exerted by sectional wire on a long span archwire. These measures were important in addressing the concern of this case report where anterior teeth with short and blunt roots needed to be moved bodily over a considerable distance to close the median diastema region. With proper biomechanics to move the root slowly towards the centreline; this allowed the bone to remodel. The bone defect was narrowed down by bone deposition around the root during the gradual space closure period.

In addition, emphasis was given on the importance of application of palatal root torque. Palatal root torque was applied over a considerable period of time. This increased the labial bone thickness, which in turn increased the width of the attached gingival. These measures prevented gingival recession which would occur if there was insufficient bone labial to the anterior teeth. Move the teeth away from cortical plate subsequently increased vascularisation, increase orthodontic tooth movement, and reduce the risk of root resorption. Maintaining controlled light gentle orthodontic force provided extra care for the orthodontic movement of anterior teeth with short roots.

Orthodontic tooth movement with wire sequence and mechanics of moving the root in a direction to increase the thickness of the labial plate of bone can ensure healthier periodontium. Healthier periodontium prior to space closure promotes repair of alveolar bony defect after surgical intervention. Orthodontic tooth movement should be added to our armamentarium for the repair of alveolar bony defect.

Written informed consent was obtained from the patient for publication of this case report and accompanying images. A copy of the written consent is available for review by the Editor-in-Chief of this journal.