OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the amount of tooth movement and histologic changes with different corticotomy designs and micro-osteoperforation in rabbits.

METHODS

The sample consisted of 24 rabbits divided into three experimental groups (triangular corticotomy [TC] and indentation corticotomy [IC] with flap, and flapless micro-osteoperforations [MP]) and a control. A traction force of 100 cN was applied by connecting the first premolars to the incisors. The amount of tooth movement was measured. Kruskal-Wallis test was used to assess differences in tooth movement between the groups. Micro-computed tomography, hematoxylin and eosin staining, and tartrate-resistant acidic phosphatase (TRAP) analysis were performed. Analysis of variance was applied to assess differences in TRAP-positive osteoclast count between the groups.

RESULTS

The amount of tooth movement increased by 46.5% and 32.0% in the IC and MP groups, respectively, while the bone fraction analysis showed 69.7% and 8.5% less mineralization compared to the control. There were no significant intergroup differences in the number of TRAP-positive osteoclasts.

CONCLUSIONS

The micro-osteoperforation group showed no significant differences in the amount of tooth movement compared to the corticotomy groups, nor in the TRAP-positive osteoclast count compared to both corticotomy groups and control.