Changes in the morphology of the labial alveolar bone of protruded permanent maxillary incisors secondary to orthodontic alignment.

Aim: Treatment of protruded maxillary incisors involves retraction. Lingual positioning of protruded incisors improves the width of the attached gingiva. This study was conducted to document changes in the buccal alveolar bone upon retraction of protruded permanent maxillary central incisors.

Methods: Cephalometric radiographs of 13 patients, ages 12 to 18 years, whose orthodontic treatment involved lingual positioning of protruded permanent maxillary central incisors were selected.

Results: Comparison of tracings from radiographs taken before and after treatment indicated that the alveolar bone height increased in 76.9% of cases. In addition, a significant positive correlation (r = 0.95) was found between the changes in the distance from the M point to the incisal edge and alveolar bone height.

Conclusion: The present study indicated that an increase in the amount of buccal alveolar bone was a result of orthodontic treatment that involved lingual positioning of protruded maxillary permanent central incisors.