Targeted traction of impacted teeth with C-tube miniplates
Kyu-Rhim Chung1, Yong Kim, Hyo-Won Ahn
1From the *Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea; †Division of Orthodontics, School of Medicine, Ajou University, Suwon, Korea; and ‡Division of Orthodontics, Department of Orofacial Science, University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Abstract:
Orthodontic traction of impacted teeth has typically been performed using full fixed appliance as anchorage against the traction force. This conventional approach can be difficult to apply in the mixed dentition if the partial fixed appliance offers an insufficient anchor unit. In addition, full fixed appliance can induce unwanted movement of adjacent teeth. This clinical report presents 3 cases where impacted teeth were recovered in the mixed or transitional dentition with skeletal anchorage on the opposite arch without full fixed appliance. Instead, intermaxillary traction was used to bring the impacted teeth into position. With this approach, side effects on teeth and periodontal tissues adjacent to the impaction were minimized.
