Comparison of the rate of maxillary canine retraction with or without modified corticotomy facilitated orthodontic treatment

The aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the rate of maxillary canine retraction in cases with modified corticotomy versus without modified corticotomy. Clinical interventional study. Split mouth design was used. A sample size of ten patients and 20 sites were selected within the age group of 18–35 years following all criteria of the study. Before orthodontic leveling and alignment, upper first premolar extraction was carried out under local anesthesia. Pre-treatment OPG and IOPA were taken in relation to the maxillary canine and maxillary second premolar teeth. One extraction side was considered as the experimental site and contralateral side as control. Leveling and alignment were started with wire sequence. After modified corticotomy procedure, the canine retraction was started with 8 mm NiTi closed coil spring. The amount of tooth movement was recorded with the help of a Digital Vernier Caliper at an interval of 1 month till the completion of canine retraction. Paired t-test showed higher mean velocity of tooth movement in modified corticotomy side (1.07 ± 0.25) as compared to the conventional side (0.91 ± 0.24), (P < 0.001). The modified corticotomy technique serves as an effective treatment modality for adults seeking orthodontic treatment with increased rate of orthodontic canine retraction.