Efficient Distalization of Maxillary Molars with Temporary Anchorage Devices for the Treatment of Class II Malocclusion

Abstract

Treatment of Class II malocclusion often requires maxillary molar distalization. However, when applying distalization forces on the maxillary molars, anchorage loss may occur in different degrees not only during molar distalization (such as distal tipping of maxillary molars and mesial movement and proclination of the anterior teeth) but also during the subsequent stage of anterior teeth retraction (such as mesial movement of maxillary molars). All these movements are considered as unwanted side effects, which diminish the clinical effectiveness of distalization. Miniscrew implants can be used as temporary anchorage devices (TADs) to enhance anchorage and, if properly used, to counterbalance the side effects. Among the different available systems, the TAD-supported amda® can be considered as a simple, noncompliant, minimally invasive, and very efficient approach that can be used for the comprehensive treatment of patients with Class II malocclusion not only to distalize the maxillary molars bodily without or with minimal distal tipping and without proclination of the anterior teeth but also in combination with full-fixed appliances to retract and intrude the anterior teeth.

Keywords

• class ii malocclusion
• molar distalization
• orthodontic anchorage techniques
• orthodontic tooth movement
• temporary anchorage devices