Objective: To evaluate the effect of piezocision at the maxillary first bicuspid extraction site on the rate of canine tooth movement, pain, and the amount of root resorption.Materials and Methods: A split-mouth randomized controlled trial was conducted on 15 patients who required maxillary first bicuspid extractions. On the intervention side, piezocision was performed on the buccal alveolar bone mesial and distal of the extraction space. Mini-screws were placed between the maxillary second premolar and first permanent molar on each side. The rate of canine tooth movement was calculated using the distance between the canine cusp tip and the mini-screw head immediately after piezocision and then every 4 weeks for 6 months thereafter. The amount of canine root resorption was measured before piezocision and 6 months after using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Pain and discomfort were evaluated using a visual analog scale at immediate, 1 day, 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days post-piezocision. Paired t-tests or Wilcoxon matched-pairs signed-rank tests were used for statistical analysis.

Results: 13 females and 2 males (mean age 18.6 ± 3.56 years) were recruited. The rate of canine tooth movement on the piezocision side (0.91±0.23 mm/month) was higher than the control side (0.85±0.21 mm/month) but not statistically significant. The amount of canine root resorption was statistically greater on the coronal plane of the piezocision side. Most participants reported no to mild pain post-piezocision.

Conclusion: Piezocision at the extraction site did not significantly accelerate maxillary canine tooth movement but led to a greater amount of canine root resorption.