Buccal Alveolar Bone Changes following Molar Distalization by using Distal Jet appliance: A Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) Study

Abstract

Introduction:Maintaining the health of the periodontium is very necessary for tooth longevity,  and moving the teeth without respecting the anatomical limits of the alveolar bone can damage the periodontium. Many studies showed that molar distalization is often associated with an increase in intermolar width. since maxillary expansion may lead to a decrease in the thickness of the Buccal Alveolar Bone, our aim in this study is to evaluate the changes of the Buccal Alveolar Bone after molar distalization.

Materials and Methods: The sample consisted of 11 patients who required bilateral upper molars distalization  within the treatment plan. Distal jet appliance was applied and the springs were activated every four weeks until a first-class molar relationship was reached. Cone-beam computerized tomography images (CBCT) were taken before treatment and after distalization. Buccal alveolar bone thickness was measured adjacent to the mesiobuccal root of the maxillary first molar 3 mm and 6 mm apical to the cementoenamel junction.

Results: The results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the thickness of the buccal alveolar bone thickness following Molar Distalization by using Distal Jet, and the average of this loss was (0.46،0.31) at a distance of (3, 6) mm from the cementoenamel junction respectively, The results also showed an increase in the prevalence of the fenestrations.

Conclusions: Molar Distalization using the Distal Jet was accompanied by a decrease in the thickness of buccal alveolar bone thickness adjacent to the mesiobuccal root of the first molar.