# Micro-osteoperforation for enhancement of orthodontic movement: A mechanical analysis using the finite element method

## TL;DR

This study uses computer modeling to show that micro-osteoperforation increases tooth movement and stress distribution during orthodontic treatment.

## Contribution

A novel experimental study using finite element analysis to evaluate micro-osteoperforation's impact on orthodontic movement and stress distribution.

## Key findings

- Micro-osteoperforation increased dental crown movement by 24% and periodontal ligament movement by 29%.
- Stress distribution in the bone structure increased by 31% with micro-osteoperforation.
- Important stress absorption regions were identified within the micro-osteoperforations.

## Abstract

Micro-osteoperforation is a minimally invasive technique aimed at accelerating tooth movement. The goal of this novel experimental study was to assess tooth movement and stress distribution produced by the force of orthodontic movement on the tooth structure, periodontal ligament, and maxillary bone structure, with and without micro-osteoperforation, using the finite element method.

Cone-beam computed tomography was used to obtain a virtual model of the maxilla and simulate the extraction of right and left first premolars. Three micro-osteoperforations (1.5 x 5 mm) were made in the hemiarch on the distal and mesial surfaces of upper canines, according to the power tip geometry of the Propel device (Propel Orthodontics, Ossining, New York, USA). An isotropic model of the maxilla was fabricated according to the finite element method by insertion of mechanical properties of the tooth structures, with orthodontic force (1.5 N) simulation in the distal movement on the upper canine of a hemiarch.

Initial movement was larger when micro-osteoperforations were performed on the dental crown (24%) and on the periodontal ligament (29%). In addition, stress distribution was higher on the bone structure (31%) when micro-osteoperforations were used.

Micro-osteoperforations considerably increased the movement of both the dental crown and periodontal ligament, which highlights their importance in the improvement of orthodontic movement, as well as in stress distribution across the bone structure. Important stress absorption regions were identified within micro-osteoperforations.