Comparative evaluation of the effect of piezocision on the healing of alveolar bone resorption associated with rapid maxillary expansion

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of piezocision on the healing of alveolar bone resorption during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) and to compare the piezocision and non-piezocision sides. Methods: In this retrospective study, archival records of 20 individuals (10 females, 10 males) aged between 11 and 15 years who had undergone rapid maxillary expansion (RME) treatment at the Department of Orthodontics, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, were evaluated. The included patients had cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) records obtained before treatment (T0) and after a three-month fixed retention period (T1), and had received unilateral piezocision following the active expansion phase. Review of patient records indicated that a bonded acrylic cap splint appliance had been used for maxillary expansion and that unilateral piezocision had been performed after completion of the expansion procedure. CBCT images were analyzed using OnDemand3D Dental software. Buccal alveolar bone thickness and vertical alveolar bone height measurements were obtained at the buccal roots of the maxillary first and second premolars and the mesiobuccal roots of the maxillary first molars on both the piezocision and non-piezocision sides at T0 and T1, and were compared. Normality of the data distribution was assessed using the Shapiro–Wilk and Kolmogorov–Smirnov tests. Parametric data were analyzed using paired and independent samples t-tests. Results: Statistically significant alveolar bone resorption occurred in all tooth regions on both sides following RME. However, the piezocision side showed a more limited decrease in buccal alveolar bone thickness and vertical alveolar bone height compared to the control side. This difference was statistically significant across all regions (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings suggest that piezocision may support alveolar bone healing and positively influence the remodeling process in the post-expansion period following RME. Keywords: alveolar bone resorption, piezocision, rapid maxillary expansion