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Becker A, Chaushu S. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2013; 143: 451–459

The only substantial issue challenged in this opposing 'POINT/COUNTERPOINT' paper (pagination is duplicated in the two PDF papers), is that resorption of the adjacent lateral incisor is not associated with the closed surgical exposure and immediate orthodontic traction. This has been shown by the use of CBCT that has demonstrated that resorption of the lateral incisor tooth usually occurs 'before treatment is initiated'. Not surprisingly, these authors are not comfortable with preorthodontic uncovering and autonomous eruption approach, in that 1) there is no robust data stating how often spontaneous eruption does not occur and, 2) treatment times were no longer but indeed shorter (ca. 25 months with surgical exposure and traction v 40 months with preorthodontic uncovering and spontaneous eruption). The techniques used to carry out these two approaches are described in their respective papers.