Reduction in overall time with corticotomy using piezosurgery in orthodontics: a meta-analysis of randomized clinical trials

Abstract

Background and Aims: Decortication of interdental alveolar cortical bone is performed to shorten orthodontic treatment duration. The objective of this meta-analysis was to evaluate the effect of corticotomy using piezosurgery on the reduction in orthodontic treatment time, comparing it to conventional single-phase orthodontic treatment. Methods: A thorough electronic search was performed to obtain randomized clinical trials that compared the treatment duration between piezocision-assisted orthodontic treatment with conventional orthodontic treatment. Overall treatment time measured in months, was analyzed, and patient age and tooth location were evaluated as potential factors affecting treatment duration. Results: Based on the eleven randomized clinical trials included in the meta-analysis, results showed a significant weighted mean difference between piezocision-assisted corticotomy orthodontics and conventional single-phase orthodontics only (−1.80 months, [95% CI (−2.51, −1.08), p = 0.771]). Patient age and tooth location showed no statistically significant difference between the investigated groups. Conclusions: Piezocision-assisted corticotomy is effective in accelerating orthodontic tooth movement and reducing an average of 1.80 months treatment time. This reduction, although modest, represents a 30.72% decrease in overall treatment duration.