Periodontic Surgery for Orthodontics

Surgically assisted orthodontics involves minor oral surgery procedures that facilitate or enhance tooth movement. This is typically recommended for:

​

• Adults with slower bone metabolism

• Cases where significant tooth movement is needed

• Orthodontic treatments complicated by jawbone density or volume

• Patients seeking shorter treatment times

​

Several surgical procedures can be performed alongside braces or aligners to achieve optimal results. Tooth exposure surgery uncovers impacted canines or other teeth so orthodontists can guide them into their proper position. The types of oral surgery that support orthodontic treatment include:

​

Corticotomy

A corticotomy is a surgical procedure in which Dr. Moeller creates precise, shallow cuts or perforations in the dense outer layer of bone (cortical bone) surrounding the teeth, while leaving the inner marrow bone intact. 

 

This technique significantly accelerates orthodontic treatment by inducing a temporary reduction in bone density, enabling faster, more efficient tooth movement. It is a minimally invasive procedure that preserves soft tissue and maintains blood flow to the bone. 

 

Benefits of a corticotomy procedure include faster results with the orthodontic appliance, reduced risk of root resorption, and greater stability of the final orthodontic result.

​

Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO)

Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics is a specialized, accelerated treatment combining minor periodontal surgery with traditional orthodontics to move teeth 3–4 times faster. Dr. Moeller performs a minor surgical procedure, creating small, precise incisions in the jawbone (corticotomy) and, usually, applying bone grafting material to enhance bone volume around the roots.

 

Benefits of PAOO include significantly reducing treatment time, increasing post-treatment stability, and reducing the risk of apical root resorption. This procedure is ideal for adults or individuals with healthy gums who want to speed up their orthodontic treatment or who have thin bone structures requiring augmentation.

​

Canine Exposure

Canine teeth play crucial roles in your bite and smile, guiding other teeth into proper alignment and helping tear food effectively. When canines fail to erupt naturally, usually due to a lack of space or unusual positioning, they can’t fulfill these functions. Simply removing impacted canines can create permanent gaps and bite problems; however, surgical exposure allows us to attach an orthodontic bracket to the buried tooth. 

 

Your orthodontist then applies gentle force over several months to guide the canine into its correct position. This process helps preserve the tooth and maintains your natural dental arch and optimal function.