Comparative evaluation of the effect of piezocision application on the healing of root resorption occurring during rapid maxillary expansion

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of piezocision application on the repair of root resorption occurring during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT), and to make a comparative assessment between the sides with and without piezocision. Method: In this retrospective study, CBCT records of 20 patients (11 females, 9 males) aged between 11 and 15 years, who underwent bonded-type acrylic cap splint RME treatment in the Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dentistry, Alanya Alaaddin Keykubat University, were evaluated. Piezocision was randomly applied unilaterally after the completion of expansion. CBCT scans taken before treatment (T0) and after a 3-month retention period (T1) were analyzed using Mimics Medical 20.0 software (Materialise NV, Leuven, Belgium). The amount of root resorption of the maxillary first premolars, second premolars, and first molars was compared between the piezocision and non-piezocision sides. Paired samples t-test was used for intra-group comparisons, and independent samples t-test for intergroup comparisons. Results: Statistically significant volume reductions were observed in both the control and piezocision groups between T0 and T1 in the first and second premolars and first molars (p<0.001). However, the absolute and percentage volume losses were found to be significantly higher in the control group compared to the piezocision group. Conclusion: These results suggest that piezocision may exert a reparative effect on root resorption during the RME process and may contribute to the preservation of root surface without adversely affecting treatment efficacy. Keywords: piezocision, rapid maxillary expansion,root resorption.