Maxillary Incisor Intrusion Using Utility Arch Assisted With Micro-osteoperforations

Micro-osteoperforations (MOPs) are a new, simple, and minimally invasive technique to accelerate tooth movement. The biologic mechanism behind MOPs is to increase the cytokine expression that leads to increased bone resorption, the catabolic phase of tooth movement, in the direction of tooth movement. Transmucosal holes in cortical bone are made to trigger bone remodeling changes for faster tooth movement and decrease root resotption.

Inclusion criteria

• Patients age between 15-25 years.
• Patients with overbite ≥ 4 mm.
• All permanent teeth erupted (excluding 3rd molars).
• No previous orthodontic treatment.
• Patients with good oral hygiene and good periodontal health.

Exclusion criteria

• Skeletal discrepancies.
• Missing maxillary anterior teeth or any kind of tooth/root shape anomaly.
• Patients with root resorption or impacted canines.
• Previous history of orthodontic treatment.
• Systemic disease interferes with orthodontic tooth movement.
• History of trauma affecting the maxillary incisors.
• Poor oral hygiene or periodontally compromised patient.
• Endodontically treated upper anterior teeth.