American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam

The correct choice aligns with the understanding of Surgical Facilitated Orthodontic Therapy (SFOT) as outlined by Wilcko et al. SFOT includes several critical steps that enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of tooth movement through surgical intervention. In SFOT, bone activation through decortication is performed to enhance the orthodontic treatment by accelerating tooth movement. This is achieved by creating small perforations in the cortical bone, which stimulates a healing response and increases the biological activity in the jawbone. Additionally, grafting for alveolar augmentation may be utilized in cases where bone density needs improvement, allowing for more stable movement of teeth. The application of orthodontic forces is fundamental to the SFOT process, as it directly influences the movement of teeth in alignment with treatment goals. Extended orthodontic treatment duration, on the other hand, is not a step in SFOT. In fact, one of the main goals of this therapeutic approach is to decrease the overall duration of orthodontic treatment by facilitating quicker tooth movement, thereby shortening the time a patient is in braces. Therefore, the identification of extended orthodontic treatment duration as not part of the SFOT process reflects an accurate understanding of the method’s purpose and benefits.