[Can magnets or additional intermaxillary forces improve the mode of action of jumping-the-bite plates?]

The use of accessory intermaxillary elastic traction or magnets during bite jumping appliance therapy marks a significant improvement in patient treatment. The use of interarch traction results in 100% mouth closure during the night, which is independent of the patient's sleeping position. During the night the guide pegs are subjected to almost no stress, which guarantees a quick adaptation. Additional intermaxillary traction does call for anchoring procedures in the maxillary anterior (torque springs) and mandibular molar region (clasps). According to the dental situation, the application of dynamic force can be withdrawn for a transitory period of time. Use of additional magnets in the anterior, depending on sleeping position, leads to complete mouth closure in up to 70 to 90% of the cases. Extensive measures in the mandibular and maxillary anterior areas must be considered when using this variant. In many cases the application of brackets is an absolute necessity. However, when the dental situation calls for it, magnets cannot be deactivated. All magnets in use today corrode very easily. It is, therefore, recommended that magnets used interorally be especially well shielded. Leaky capsules must considered especially problematic. Correct adjustment in the sagittal plane does not in any case guarantee stabilization. Only when a 3- or 4-stage bite has been reached, can it be said that a good adjustment in the neuromuscular masticatory pattern has been achieved. Depending on patient compliance, this period can be significantly drawn out. A functional analysis is not a suitable method for analyzing an extant stable result. With both of these modifications there is a tendency to greater dentoalveolar effect and diminished influence on the skull. The issue of whether magnets have no place in orthodontics, as Gianelly [3] claims, cannot be definitively answered, however, it can be said that intermaxillary traction, especially when force is applied by using super-elastic springs, is less expensive, demonstrates a better effectiveness, and it is much easier to use.