Comparison of Maxillary Molar Distalization with an Implant-Supported Distal Jet and a Traditional Tooth-Supported Distal Jet Appliance

• Published in: International Journal of Dentistry 2014-01, Vol.2014 (2014), p.493-499
• Main Authors: Cozzani, Mauro, Pasini, Marco, Zallio, Francesco, Ritucci, Robert, Mutinelli, Sabrina, Mazzotta, Laura, Giuca, Maria Rita, Piras, Vincenzo
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Orthodontics; Patients; Studies; Teeth; Titanium
• ISSN: 1687-8728; 1687-8736
• DOI: 10.1155/2014/937059

Aim. To investigate and compare the efficiency of two appliances for molar distalization: the bone-anchored distal screw (DS) and the traditional tooth-supported distal jet (DJ) for molar distalization and anchorage loss. Methods. Tests (18 subjects) were treated with a DS and controls (18 subjects) were treated with a DJ. Lateral cephalograms were obtained before and at the end of molar distalization and were analysed. Shapiro Wilk test, unpaired t-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were applied according to values distribution. The α level was fixed at 0.05. Results. Maxillary first molars were successfully distalized into a Class I relationship in all patients. The mean molar distalization and treatment time were similar in both groups. The DS group exhibited a spontaneous distalization (2.1±0.9 mm) of the first premolar with control of anchorage loss, distal tipping, extrusion, and skeletal changes. Conclusions. The DS is an adequate compliance-free distalizing appliance that can be used safely for the correction of Class II malocclusions. In comparison to the traditional DJ, the DS enables not only a good rate of molar distalization, but also a spontaneous distalization of the first premolars.