The effect of corticision on root resorption with heavy and light forces

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between corticision and different force magnitudes with the amount of root resorption. Methods: Forty-four male Wistar rats (7 week old) were evaluated after an orthodontic spring delivering either 10 or 100 g was placed on the left maxillary first molars to move molars mesially. Experimental rats were divided into four groups, with 11 animals in each group: (1) LF, no corticision and 10 g of orthodontic force; (2) LFC, corticision and 10 g of force; (3) HF, no corticision and 100 g of force; and (4) HFC, corticision and 100 g of force. Contralateral sides were used as unloaded controls. The total duration of the experimental period was 14 days. Two-dimensional (histomorphometric) and three-dimensional (volumetric, micro-focus X-ray computed tomography [microCT]) analysis of root craters were performed on maxillary first molars. Results: Histomorphometric and microCT analysis revealed a significant amount of resorptive areas in the experimental groups when compared to unloaded controls. However, no significant difference was detected in the amount of resorption among the four experimental groups. Conclusions: At day 14, neither the amount of force nor the cortical incision caused significant effect on root resorption that was registered by histomorphometric or microCT analysis.