Various anchorage approaches in unilateral mandibular molar distalization using a fixed lingual arch appliance

Mean unilateral mandibular molar distalization of 3.33 +/- 1.28 mm was achieved in 20 patients (average age: 13 years, 1 month) by fitting an asymmetrically activated lingual arch appliance for an average treatment period of 4 months. Three different anchorage techniques were used: Anchorage was provided in seven patients by the lingual arm of the appliance alone, while another seven patients received additional sectional archwires, and another six patients sectional archwires and lip bumpers.

Anchorage by means of the lingual arm alone proved to be insufficient to prevent labial tipping of the incisors. The mean protrusion and labial tipping recorded at the lower incisors was 7.67 degrees +/- 1.53 degrees and 2.64 +/- 0.48 mm respectively. The anchorage quality was enhanced and satisfactory stabilization achieved by additionally inserting a sectional archwire. In these cases the mean incisor protrusion and labial tipping was 1.75 degrees +/- 0.96 degree and 0.71 +/- 0.76 mm respectively and thus significantly lower (p < 0.01). The additional fitting of a lip bumper provided no further increase in anchorage quality (incisor protrusion 1.75 degrees +/- 2.87 degrees and 0.67 +/- 1.21 mm respectively).

Fitting additional anchorage aids appears to have no direct impact on the extent and quality of molar distalization.