Comparison of mean canine retraction between healed and recently extracted site: A single center, randomized control trial

Abstract

Objectives: The objective of this “2-arm parallel” trial was to compare mean canine retraction into healed and recently extracted site. Materials and Methods: One of the sides of the maxillary dental arch of the patients having undergone orthodontic treatment at orthodontic department of a private hospital was randomly allocated to recent extraction side, while the contra-lateral side to healed extraction site. Eligibility criteria included no active local or systemic diseases including long-term medications. The main outcome was canine retraction into the extraction sites. Simple randomization technique was used allocate the right and left sides of the arch to one of the groups with allocation concealment through sequentially numbered, opaque, and sealed envelopes. Blinding was applicable for outcome assessor only. The patients were reviewed after 1 month of retraction. Data were analyzed on an intention to treat basis, using paired t-test was applied to compare the canine retraction between healed and recently extracted site (P ≤ 0.05 statistically significant). Results: Thirty-five patients with a mean age of 17.6 years were randomized in a 1:1 ratio for one of the sides of the arch to either recent extraction site or healed extraction site. After a month active retraction in 32 patients, the canine at recent extraction site moved 1.17 ± 0.27 mm in 1 month and 0.75 ± 0.26 mm in 1 month on the healed extraction site (P = 0.00). Two patients were lost to follow-up. No harm was observed. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that the mean canine retraction was faster into the recent extraction site. The mean difference of 0.45 mm between the two sides was found be statistically significant.