Abstract: How to shorten orthodontic time has been a topic of concern for clinicians. The previous researches found corticotomy can effectively accelerate orthodontic treatment. Based on the regional acceleratory phenomenon (RAP), the technology evolved in the past few decades. Then, a technique called Periodontally Accelerated Osteogenic Orthodontics (PAOO) was developed from corticotomy. PAOO can reduce 1/3 to 1/4 traditional treatment time for patients, improve and strengthen the periodontal tissue, increase bone coverage, reduce root resorption and the relapse rate. This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the history of the corticotomy development, the different mechanisms of corticotomy accelerating tooth movement from the traditional orthodontics, as well as related clinical and experimental studies.