Comparison of Effects of Tooth Extraction and Air-rotor Stripping Therapy on Tooth-size Discrepancy in Class I Borderline Patients

Aim: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of tooth extraction and air-rotor stripping therapy on tooth-size discrepancy, and to compare the changes between two groups. Materials and methods: The sample comprised the preand post-treatment dental models of 20 postadolescent class I borderline patients. First group was composed of dental models of 10 patients (mean age of 17.1 ± 2.5 years) treated with four first premolars extraction. Second group included dental models of 10 patients (mean age of 18.8 ± 2.7 years) treated with air-rotor stripping. Treatment effects on Bolton overall and anterior ratios/ values were analyzed by paired sample t-test and independent sample t-test was used for intergroup comparisons. Results: The change in Bolton overall ratio was found statistically significant for the extraction and insignificant for the air-rotor stripping group. A statistically significant decrease was observed in Bolton anterior ratio for the air-rotor stripping group. Neither four premolars extraction nor air-rotor stripping therapy created statistically significant changes in Bolton overall/anterior values. The changes in Bolton overall ratio/value did not show a statistically significant difference between the groups. Conclusion: This study showed that tooth extraction or air-rotor stripping therapy did not have an unfavorable effect on toothsize discrepancy in class I borderline patients.