American Board of Orthodontics (ABO) Practice Exam 2026 - Free Orthodontics Practice Questions and Study Guide

The Wilcko Surgical Facilitated Orthodontics Treatment (SFOT) technique involves the surgical alteration of the alveolar bone to enhance the movement of teeth through orthodontic treatment. Specifically, this technique develops a controlled injury to the bone, which ultimately promotes faster tooth movement due to the subsequent biological processes involved in bone remodeling.

The correct response indicates that Wilcko SFOT cuts through the cortex to superficial medullary bone. The cortex refers to the outer layer of the bone structure, which provides strength and support, while the superficial medullary bone is the inner region that has a less dense structure compared to the cortex. This approach allows for the creation of a pathway that facilitates orthodontic tooth movement more effectively than traditional methods, taking advantage of the biological responses elicited from both the cortical and medullary bones as they heal and remodel.

The other options imply a focus on specific bone areas that either do not accurately describe the SFOT technique or do not encompass the complete range of bone that is impacted, which would limit the effectiveness of the procedure. By targeting both the cortex and the superficial medullary bone, the procedure achieves optimal conditions for enhanced orthodontic outcomes.