Maxillary Incisor Intrusion Using Two Conventional Intrusion Arches and Mini Implants: A Prospective Study

Area of Science:

• Orthodontics
• Dental Implantology
• Biomechanical Engineering

Background:

• Deep bite malocclusion requires effective maxillary incisor intrusion.
• Conventional intrusion methods can lead to unwanted side effects due to anchorage loss.
• Mini implants offer a potential solution for absolute anchorage during orthodontic intrusion.

Purpose of the Study:

• To cephalometrically compare the rate of maxillary incisor intrusion using mini implants, Connecticut intrusion arches, and segmental intrusion arches.
• To evaluate the efficacy and efficiency of different intrusion mechanics in adult patients with deep bite.

Main Methods:

• A comparative cephalometric study involving 32 adult patients with deep bite.
• Patients were divided into three groups: mini implant (n=10), Connecticut intrusion arch (n=10), and segmental intrusion arch (n=12).
• Lateral cephalograms were taken before and after 4 months of intrusion to measure the amount and rate of incisor intrusion.

Main Results:

• Mean incisor intrusion was 1.7 mm in the mini implant group, 1.4 mm in the Connecticut intrusion arch group, and 1.66 mm in the segmental intrusion arch group.
• The rate of intrusion per month was 0.425 mm for mini implants, 0.35 mm for Connecticut intrusion arches, and 0.415 mm for segmental intrusion arches.
• No statistically significant difference was found in the extent or rate of incisor intrusion among the three groups (p <0.05).

Conclusions:

• All three methods (mini implants, Connecticut intrusion arches, and segmental intrusion arches) effectively intruded maxillary incisors.
• There was no statistically significant difference in the amount or rate of incisor intrusion achieved by the evaluated methods.
• Mini implants provide absolute anchorage, potentially offering clinical superiority by eliminating unwanted side effects associated with conventional intrusion techniques.