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

Aim. To investigate and compare the e'ciency 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 푡-test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum test were applied according to values distribution. &e 훼 level was )xed at 0.05. Results. Maxillary )rst molars were successfully distalized into a Class I relationship in all patients. &e mean molar distalization and treatment time were similar in both groups. &e DS group exhibited a spontaneous distalization (2.1 ± 0.9 mm) of the )rst premolar with control of anchorage loss, distal tipping, extrusion, and skeletal changes. Conclusions. &e 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 )rst premolars.