Alveolar Boundary Conditions: Minimizing the Risks of Expansion & Pre-surgical Orthodontic Therapy

Orthodontic therapy frequently entails moving teeth into more expanded and infrequently into constricted arches to achieve treatment goals. Both approaches may contribute to compromised bone and soft tissue outcomes. Dr. Kapila will introduce a comprehensive diagnostic terminology of Alveolar Boundary Conditions (ABC) that encompasses bone and soft tissue anatomy and health, root morphology and position combined with the individual variability in adaptability of bone that can be used to define limitations of orthodontic tooth movement. Using contemporary literature and cases, he will discuss optimal approaches to pre-emptively identify potential risk factors and therapeutic approaches to minimize the adverse consequences of arch expansion / constriction in non-extraction and extraction cases, respectively, and in patients with existing compromised periodontal bone support or requiring orthognathic surgery entailing decompensation of teeth.