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Updated: Jun 4, 2026
Measuring Maxillary Posterior Tooth Movement: A Model Assessment using Palatal and Dental Superimposition
Published on: February 23, 2024
Mass retraction movement of the anterior upper teeth using orthodontic mini-implants as anchorage
Leonardo Henrique de Lima Araújo1, Elton Gonçalves Zenóbio, Wellington Pacheco
1Pontifical Catholic University Minas, Belo Horizonte, MG, Brazil.
Background:
Several studies have demonstrated the application of mini-implants in the orthodontic treatment as anchorage during the retraction movement of the anterior teeth.
Purpose:
This study was designed to evaluate the mass retraction movement of the anterior upper teeth using orthodontic mini-implants as anchorage.
Materials And Methods:
Nine patients with class I malocclusion and Angle's class II, needing extractions of the upper first premolars, were enrolled in this case series. The retraction was performed using sliding mechanics and orthodontic anchorage on mini-implants. Measures were taken by initial and final cephalometric X-rays of the retraction movement to evaluate whether the mini-implants remained stationary and displacements of the incisors and the upper first premolars.
Results:
Out of 18 mini-implants, 8 mesialized (0.45 mm, average) and 3 extruded (0.14 mm, average). The upper incisors were retracted on the average of 4.21 mm, extruded 0.33 mm, and tipped 10.3°. There were no statistical significant modifications in the placement of the posterior teeth.
Conclusions:
Although there was a very small displacement of the mini-implants, they still provided an adequate anchorage for the retraction of the anterior teeth, and there was no loss in the anchorage of the posterior teeth.
