Korean J Orthod
Copyright © The Korean Association of Orthodontists.
Nicolas Nassara,b,c, Allahyar Geramyd, Roland Kmeida,c, Nayla Bassil Nassifg, Lina Medawara,c, Patrick Sayeghe, Joseph Bouserhalf
aDepartment of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
bDepartment of Digital Dentistry, AI, and Evolving Technologies, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
cCraniofacial Research Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
dOrthodontics Department, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
eDental Square Clinic, Sodeco, Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
fDepartment of Orthodontics, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
gPrivate Practice, Paris, France
Correspondence to:Nicolas Nassar
Institutional position / affiliation (s): Clinical instructor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
Department of Digital Dentistry, AI, and Evolving Technologies, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
Craniofacial Research Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
P.O.B. 45, Chtaura, Lebanon
E-mail: nicolas.nassar.dds@hotmail.com
Phone number: 009613729449
Objective: Considering the success of infrazygomatic mini-implants with braces we sought to explore the efficacy of infrazygomatic mini-implants for en-masse maxillary distalization using clear aligner therapy.
Methods: In our three-dimension finite element study, we evaluated the en-masse maxillary dentition distalization using infrazygomatic mini-implants with different force application arm lengths (0 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm). Vertical, sagittal, and horizontal displacement were assessed.
Results: The incisors exhibited intrusion among the 0-, 4- and 8-mm force application arm lengths, with similar sagittal displacement tendencies, exhibiting labial crown tipping. Of all the maxillary teeth, only the canine exhibited a distalization of both the crown and the root. Distalization of posterior teeth was achieved, with the greatest magnitude of distalization with the 0-mm force application arm length, without significant tipping and less vertical movements than with the other force application arm lengths.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that infrazygomatic mini-implants can be a viable option for achieving targeted tooth movement in clear aligner therapy across different force application arm lengths. These findings can guide orthodontic treatment planning in non-extraction cases.
Keywords: FEM, distalization, orthodontics mini-implants, aligners
Korean J Orthod
First Published Date February 3, 2025
Copyright © The Korean Association of Orthodontists.
Nicolas Nassara,b,c, Allahyar Geramyd, Roland Kmeida,c, Nayla Bassil Nassifg, Lina Medawara,c, Patrick Sayeghe, Joseph Bouserhalf
aDepartment of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
bDepartment of Digital Dentistry, AI, and Evolving Technologies, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
cCraniofacial Research Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
dOrthodontics Department, School of Dentistry, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
eDental Square Clinic, Sodeco, Achrafieh, Beirut, Lebanon
fDepartment of Orthodontics, Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts
gPrivate Practice, Paris, France
Correspondence to:Nicolas Nassar
Institutional position / affiliation (s): Clinical instructor, Department of Orthodontics, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
Department of Digital Dentistry, AI, and Evolving Technologies, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University, Beirut, Lebanon
Craniofacial Research Laboratory, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Saint Joseph University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
P.O.B. 45, Chtaura, Lebanon
E-mail: nicolas.nassar.dds@hotmail.com
Phone number: 009613729449
This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Objective: Considering the success of infrazygomatic mini-implants with braces we sought to explore the efficacy of infrazygomatic mini-implants for en-masse maxillary distalization using clear aligner therapy.
Methods: In our three-dimension finite element study, we evaluated the en-masse maxillary dentition distalization using infrazygomatic mini-implants with different force application arm lengths (0 mm, 4 mm, and 8 mm). Vertical, sagittal, and horizontal displacement were assessed.
Results: The incisors exhibited intrusion among the 0-, 4- and 8-mm force application arm lengths, with similar sagittal displacement tendencies, exhibiting labial crown tipping. Of all the maxillary teeth, only the canine exhibited a distalization of both the crown and the root. Distalization of posterior teeth was achieved, with the greatest magnitude of distalization with the 0-mm force application arm length, without significant tipping and less vertical movements than with the other force application arm lengths.
Conclusion: Our findings indicate that infrazygomatic mini-implants can be a viable option for achieving targeted tooth movement in clear aligner therapy across different force application arm lengths. These findings can guide orthodontic treatment planning in non-extraction cases.
Keywords: FEM, distalization, orthodontics mini-implants, aligners