The Effect of Partial Corticotomy on the Rate of Maxillary Canine Retraction: Clinical and Radiographic Study

The study aimed to evaluate, clinically and radiographically, the effect of partial corticotomy of the buccal plate distal to the canine on the rate of maxillary canine retraction. A clinical trial with the split-mouth design was conducted among twenty orthodontic patients, recommended for first premolar extraction with an age range from 13 to 21 years, selected from patients seeking orthodontic treatment in private dental clinics in Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. After extraction of the maxillary right and left first premolar, partial corticotomy was performed distal to the canine on the right side. The canine retraction was carried out with a power chain on both sides extended between the canine and the maxillary first molar. The data collected from the current study were tabulated and statistically analyzed using an independent sample t-test with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The rate of canine retraction was significantly higher on the corticotomy side than the control side (p < 0.05). Under the limitations of the present study, it can be concluded that the technique of partial corticotomy of the buccal plate distal to the canine is a straightforward surgical procedure enhancing the rate of canine retraction significantly.