Bone changes in the mandibular incisors after orthodontic correction of dental crowding without extraction: A cone-beam computed tomographic evaluation

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate changes of the alveolar bone and interdental bone septum of the mandibular incisors through cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) after orthodontic treatment of mandibular dental crowding without dental extraction. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The sample consisted of 64 CBCT images (32 pre-treatment and 32 post-treatment) from 32 adult patients with class I malocclusion and an average age of 23.0±3.9 years. The width and height of the alveolar bone and interdental septum, the distance between the cementoenamel junction (CEJ) and the facial and lingual bone crests, and the inclination of the mandibular incisors were measured. RESULTS: The distance between the CEJ and the marginal bone crest on the facial side increased significantly (P<0.05). An increased distance between the CEJ and the bone crest on the facial and lingual sides showed a correlation with the irregularity index (P<0.05); however, no significant association was observed with increasing mandibular incisor inclination (P>0.05). The change in the distance between the CEJ and the marginal bone crest on the facial side was correlated significantly with bone septum height (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Bone dehiscence developed during the treatment of crowding without extraction only on the incisors' facial side. Increasing proclination of the mandibular incisor was not correlated with bone dehiscence. The degree of dental crowding assessed through the irregularity index was associated with the risk of developing bone dehiscence. The interdental septum reflected facial marginal bone loss in the mandibular incisors.