Techniques for Augmenting Alveolar Bone
- All techniques for augmenting alveolar bone in preparation for implant placement are invasive and associated with some degree of morbidity.
- Orthodontic tooth movement has been shown in the literature to generate new bone.
- The fibres of the periodontal ligament (PDL) surrounding the teeth and attached to the alveolar bone can stimulate osteoblasts to deposit new alveolar bone.
- Orthodontic forced eruption of hopeless teeth can vertically augment the bone and reduce the need for bone grafts before implant placement.
- Healthy adjacent teeth can be moved into a bone-deficient edentulous site, closing the space and creating an implant site with sufficient bone.

Benefits of Orthodontic Implant Site-Switching Technique
- The orthodontic implant site-switching technique allows for the creation of an implant site with sufficient bone.
- It can eliminate or reduce the need for bone grafts prior to implant placement.
- This technique can vertically augment the bone by orthodontically forced eruption of hopeless teeth.
- It can close bone-deficient edentulous spaces by moving healthy adjacent teeth into the area.
- Orthodontic implant site-switching technique can enhance soft and hard tissue profiles before implant placement.

Research Studies on Orthodontic Implant Site-Switching Technique
- Lu, Meng; Li, Weixu; Wang, Yeqing; Yuan, Lixian; Cao, Meng (2023). The orthodontic implant site-switching technique: a preliminary study in dogs.
- The orthodontic implant site-switching technique has shown promising results in animal studies.
- Further research is needed to evaluate the effectiveness and long-term outcomes of this technique in human patients.
- Studies have demonstrated the potential of orthodontic implant site-switching technique in creating favorable implant sites.
- This technique offers a minimally invasive alternative to traditional bone grafting procedures.

Considerations and Limitations of Orthodontic Implant Site-Switching Technique
- Proper case selection is crucial for the success of the orthodontic implant site-switching technique.
- The technique may not be suitable for all patients, depending on their specific dental and skeletal characteristics.
- Orthodontic treatment may prolong the overall treatment time for implant placement.
- Close collaboration between orthodontists and oral surgeons is necessary for successful implementation of this technique.
- Long-term stability and success rates of implants placed using the orthodontic implant site-switching technique require further investigation.

References
- Herford, A.S.; Dean, J.S. (2011). Complications in Bone Grafting.
- Isola, G; Nucera, R.; Damonte, S.; Ugolini, A.; De Mari, A.; Migliorati, M. (2022). Implant Site Changes in Three Different Clinical Approaches: Orthodontic Extrusion, Regenerative Surgery and Spontaneous Healing after Extraction: A Systematic Review.
- Salama, H.; Salama, M. (1993). The role of orthodontic extrusive remodeling in the enhancement of soft and hard tissue profiles prior to implant placement: A systematic approach to the management of extraction site defects.
- Borzabadi-Farahani; A (2012). Orthodontic considerations in restorative management of hypodontia patients with endosseous implants.
- Borzabadi-Farahani, Ali; Zadeh, Homayoun H (2016). Orthodontic Therapy in Implant Dentistry: Orthodontic Implant Site Development.