Examination of Skeletal and Dental Effects of Three Different Upper Molar Distalization Methods

Examination of Skeletal and Dental Effects of Three Different Upper Molar Distalization Methods Aim: The aim of this study is making a comparative examination of skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of zygomatic and palatal miniplate assissted molar distalization methods with cervical headgear. Material and Method: İndividuals with dental Class II, skeletal Class I or Class II were included in the study. Three treatment groups were formed, consisting of 16 individuals ranging from 12 to 17 years. A total of 48 patients were treated. In the zigoma miniplate group, distalization is achieved by closing springs with an average of 400 grams hanged between the hook of the jig and the hook portion of the miniplate extending into the mouth. In the palatal miniplate group, distalization was achieved with opencoil springs compressed in such a way as to exert an average of 400 grams of force on the bilateral distalization arches. In the headgear group, the headgear was adapted to be 450 grams in average force; patients were warned to wear headgear 16-20 hours a day. Results: Class I molar relation was obtained in 6.25 in the zigoma miniplate group, 8.09 in the palatinal miniplate group and 6.06 months in the headgear group. The A point moved in posterior direction significantly only in the headgear group. The SN-GoGn angle was affected at least in the zygoma miniplate group. There were no significant changes in the FMA and Y axis angles at all groups. The upper incisor angles showed similar decrease in both miniplate groups. Upper first molar teeth were intruded in both miniplate groups significantly while they were extruded in the headgear group. Upper first molar teeth were tilted distally in significant amounts in all groups. Upper first molar teeth showed distopalatinal rotation both in zygoma miniplate and headgear groups while they showed meziopalatinal rotation in palatinal miniplate group. At least molar rotation was seen in the headgear group. Conclusion: Both miniplate methods were found highly successful in the first molar distalization. İt is a great advantage, they affected vertical angles in very small quantities. More studies are needed on these skeletal assisted distalization systems for better bodily movement and less rotation in upper first molars. Keywords: Molar distalization, palatal anchorage, zygoma anchorage, headgear, three dimensional evaluation.