Periodontal Ligament Stress Level and Tooth Movement

The patients will be drawn from those recruited for the Graduate Orthodontic Graduate Program. Clinical academic staff will examine approximately 500 patients seeking orthodontic care. Patients are categorized by malocclusion type and placed into a patient pool from which some cases are selected for treatment based on the program teaching and research needs. Each year approximately 50% of patients seeking care are ultimately accepted. Treatment is provided at fees that are approximately 60% of those charged in private practice.

Patients who meet the selection criteria for this study will be randomly selected from the University of Alberta Graduate Orthodontic Graduate Clinic patient pool. Upper 1st premolar teeth will be extracted and full fixed orthodontic appliances (Ormco Orthos prescription) will be placed. After the initial alignment and leveling phase is completed the retraction phase will begin. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents will be avoided; only extra strength Tylenol will be prescribed as necessary for any momentary pain or discomfort. Maximum posterior anchorage will be attained through a palatal implant (Straumann) according to the protocol described by Papadakis. The implants will be also used as three-dimensional movement reference points. Other reference systems to be used include the palatal ruggae and occlusal templates. The cuspid retraction force delivery mechanisms will consist of customized activated stainless steel T-loops designed to generate the required forces on the bracket. Approximate compressive stress (based on approximate root surface area) of 13 kPa and 22 kPa will be applied on the distal aspect of the cuspids. The design will be a split-mouth study in which both levels of stress will be applied in each patient. The side to which the higher and lower stress levels are applied will be randomized. This design will allow for inter and intra-patient comparisons since each patient will see both stress levels. After the initial activation the subjects will be seen at day 1, 3, 17 and thereafter at 4-week intervals until the space between the cuspid and second bicuspid is completely closed. In the initial activation session and each of the follow-up sessions, maxillary impressions and appliance adjustments to apply the desired force will be made. At each clinical visit impressions will be made of the activated T-loop and the teeth. The geometry of the T-loop will be measured from the impressions which will allow for the applied force to be calculated using a numerical method developed by Raboud. The impression of the teeth will be used to construct the occlusal templates required to measure tooth movement.

Tooth mobility change during the orthodontic tooth movement will be monitored by means of the Periotest measuring device. CT volumetric scans with the NewTom machine will be made just before placement of the implant to ensure adequate palatal bone volume. Extra CT volumetric scans will be repeated in the middle of the retraction period (based on the space to be closed) and at the end of the space closure. The CT volumetric scan images will also be used to determine alveolar bone density, changes in root geometry for calculation of root surface area and center of resistance. The CT volumetric scans will also be used to determine alveolar bone density, change in root geometry (root resorption) and to assess movement of the cuspid in relation to other maxillary structures. The series of models from each subject and a 3-axis measuring system (MicroVal) will be used to measure tooth position changes relative to the 3 reference systems.

At the completion of cuspid retraction, the balance of the required orthodontic treatment will continue. The palatal implant will be retrieved and orthodontic retention delivered. Data gathered in the patient study will be utilized to validate the biomechanical model.

Biomechanical Modeling:

There will be two separate biomechanical tooth models developed. The first will be a parametric three dimensional model of the tooth and supporting tissues which will allow for variable biological properties of the tooth, PDL and alveolar bone. This model allows the inputs to be patient specific for both the force systems applied and the individual biological parameters. The three dimensional force systems that are applied to the tooth will be calculated using the numerical method described by Raboud and the measured geometry of the T-loop. The Finite Element Model (FEM) of the tooth and supporting tissue and the applied force system will allow for an improved description of the stress fields in the tissues, in particular the PDL. This improved stress field will be compared to the resulting bodily tooth movement. In order to compare the results from the biomechanical model and the clinical study it is important that the posterior segment does not move. The palatal implant is to ensure the absolute anchorage required.

As previously mentioned, the accuracy of the FEM model is dependant upon the input parameters. Consequently, there will be a two dimensional dynamic model of the tooth response to a mechanical impact. This will model instruments such as the Periotest® which is designed to measure impact response. Since the tooth response is governed by the characteristics of the periodontal ligament, analysis of the raw signal obtained from the Periotest® will allow for the mechanical properties of the PDL to be evaluated during the retraction.

Statistical Analysis:

The final mean rate of tooth movement between the two force levels will be compared through the Independent Samples T Test. To evaluate significant changes of the tooth movement in the distinctive time intervals, a repeated measure ANOVA will be used. If the underlying assumptions for both methods are not satisfied, then the non-parametric alternative will be considered (U Mann-Whitney Test).