A new approach in maxillary molar distalization: Intraoral bodily molar distalizer

Abstract

The objectives of our study were to achieve bodily molar distalization, avoid distal tipping of molars, eliminate the need for patient cooperation (no headgear, no elastics, and no esthetic and social concern), and finally to minimize the treatment period and maximize the treatment efficiency. The study was carried out on 5 males and 10 females, a total of 15 patients. Mean age for the study group was 13.53 years. Dentally, all the patients had Class II molar relationship on both sides. The patients were in permanent dentition, second molars were erupted, and the lower dental arch was well aligned. Patients showed normal or sagittally directed growth pattern. Lateral cephalograms and study models were taken and analyzed before and after molar distalization. In the present study, in order to achieve maxillary molar distalization, a new intraoral appliance was developed. The intraoral bodily molar distalizer (IBMB) was composed of 2 parts: the anchorage unit and the distalizing unit. The anchorage unit was a wide Nance button, and the active unit consisted of distalizing springs. The springs had 2 components: the distalizer section of the spring applied a crown tipping force, while the uprighting section of the spring applied a root uprighting force on the first molars. A total of 230 g of distalizing force was used on both sides. After the distal movement of the first molars, the cephalometric results of 15 patients showed the following. Maxillary first molars were moved distally by an average of 5.23 mm (P < .001) without tipping or extrusion. Maxillary first premolars were moved 4.33 mm mesially (P < .001), tipped 2.73 degrees distally (P < .05), and extruded by 3.33 mm (P < .001). Maxillary central incisors were proclined by an average of 4.7 mm (P < .001) and tipped 6.73 degrees labially (P < .01). Model analysis showed that maxillary first molars were not rotated, and intermolar distance did not change after distal movement of molars. In conclusion, unlike most of the other molar distalization mechanics, this newly developed device achieved (1) bodily distal movement of maxillary molars and (2) eliminated dependence on patient cooperation and did not require headgear wear for molar root uprighting.