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To correct an Angle Class II malocclusion or to create spaces in the maxillary arch by nonextraction treatment,
distal movement of the maxillary molars is required. Various modalities for distalizing the buccal segment have
been reported. Conventional extraoral appliances can be used to obtain maximum anchorage. However, many
patients reject headgear wear because of social and esthetic concerns, and the success of this treatment de-
pends on patient compliance. Intraoral appliances, such as repelling magnets, nickel-titanium coils, pendulum
appliance, Jones jig appliance, distal jet appliance, and modified Nance appliance, have been introduced to dis-
talize the molars with little or no patient cooperation. However, intraoral appliances can result in anchorage loss
of the anterior teeth and distal tipping of the maxillary molars. In this case report, we introduce a diversified rapid
maxillary expansion appliance that was custom designed and fabricated for the treatment of a growing girl with a
skeletal Class II malocclusion and severe crowding from a totally lingually positioned lateral incisor. The appli-
ance concomitantly expanded the maxilla transversely and retracted the buccal segment sagittally, distalizing
the maxillary molars to reach a Class I relationship and creating the spaces to displace the malpositioned lateral
incisor. The uniqueness of this special diversified rapid maxillary expansion appliance was highlighted by a se-
ries of reconstructions and modifications at different stages of the treatment to reinforce the anchorage. (Am J
Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 2015;147:242-51)
T
o correct an Angle Class II malocclusion or to nickel-titanium coils,3 the pendulum appliance,4,5 the
create spaces in the maxillary arch by nonextrac- Jones jig appliance,6 the distal jet appliance,7 and the
tion treatment, distalization of the maxillary mo- modified Nance appliance,8 have been introduced to
lars is an alternative treatment approach. Various distalize molars with little or no patient cooperation.
modalities in distalizing the buccal segment have been However, intraoral appliances can result in anchorage
reported. Conventional extraoral appliances can be loss of the anterior teeth and distal tipping of the maxil-
used to obtain maximum anchorage. However, many lary molars.9
patients reject headgear wear because of social and In this case report, we introduce a diversified rapid
esthetic concerns, and the success of this treatment maxillary expander appliance (DRME) that was custom
depends on patient compliance.1 Beginning in the designed and fabricated for the treatment of a girl
1980s, intraoral appliances, such as repelling magnets,2 with a skeletal Class II malocclusion and severe crowding
from a totally lingually positioned lateral incisor. The
From the Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai Ninth People's Hospital, appliance concomitantly expanded the maxilla trans-
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China. versely and retruded the buccal segment sagittally,
a
Postgraduate student.
b distalizing the maxillary molars to reach a Class I rela-
Assistant professor.
c
Chair. tionship and creating the spaces to align the remaining
All authors have completed and submitted the ICMJE Form for Disclosure of Po- maxillary dentition. The uniqueness of this special
tential Conflicts of Interest, and none were reported.
DRME was highlighted by a series of reconstructions
Financial support from the National Natural Science Foundation of China, grant
no. 81271182. and modifications at different stages of the therapy to
Address correspondence to: Gang Shen, Department of Orthodontics, Shanghai reinforce the anchorage.
Ninth People's Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China; e-mail,
orthoshengang@gmail.com.
Submitted, November 2013; revised and accepted, December 2013. DIAGNOSIS AND ETIOLOGY
0889-5406/$36.00
Copyright Ó 2015 by the American Association of Orthodontists. The patient was an 11-year-old Chinese girl with a
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajodo.2013.12.032 chief complaint of crooked teeth. The initial clinical
242
Wang et al 243
Fig 1. Pretreatment extraoral and intraoral photographs showing an acceptable facial appearance, a
Class II molar relationship, and a lingually positioned maxillary right lateral incisor.
examination showed a slightly retrusive mandible with that might have caused an obtuse nasolabial angle. An
an obtuse nasolabial angle and an increased labiomental inspection of skeletal maturation by the cervical verte-
fold (Fig 1). brae suggested considerable growth potential. The
The intraoral examination and study casts exhibited panoramic radiograph showed that both maxillary
half-step Class II molar relationships on both sides. second molars were under development, and the tooth
The maxillary right lateral incisor was completely pala- buds of the maxillary third molars did not exist. Further-
tally positioned (Fig 2). The maxillary midline was more, no pathologic lesions, unusual root formations, or
4.0 mm off to the right of the facial midline, and the deformities of the maxillary right central or lateral inci-
mandibular midline was symmetrically correct. Crowd- sors were identified with cone-beam computed tomog-
ing in the maxilla was severe as a result of an ectopically raphy (Fig 4).
placed right lateral incisor, whereas crowding in the
mandible was mild. The maxilla was constricted, and a
crossbite relationship was also noted in the left premolar TREATMENT OBJECTIVES
area. Study cast analysis showed an overbite of 3.0 mm The treatment objectives for this patient were to (1)
and an overjet of 2.5 mm. relieve crowding by bringing the palatally positioned
The lateral cephalometric analysis showed a Class II lateral incisor into alignment, (2) correct the skeletal
skeletal base (ANB, 5.7 ) with a protrusive maxilla Class II, (3) restore a satisfactory occlusion with Class I
(SNA, 86.5 ), and an average mandibular plane angle molar and canine relationships, (4) correct the shifted
(FMA, 32.8 ) (Fig 3, Table). The U1-SN angle of 103.7 midline, (5) create ideal overbite and overjet, and (6)
indicated a retroclined tendency of the maxillary incisors improve the facial esthetics.
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2
244 Wang et al
Fig 2. Pretreatment study casts depicting the severity of crowding resulting from the malpositioned
maxillary right lateral incisor.
TREATMENT ALTERNATIVES not erupted, indicating that the timing for molar distal-
This preteen patient had adequate growth potential, ization might be an acceptable treatment modality. A
with an acceptable profile but with a retroclined maxil- nonextraction treatment plan was therefore proposed.
lary anterior dentition. A maxillary lateral incisor was The first step was orthopedic treatment with a specially
palatally positioned, but there were no signs of defects designed DRME (Fig 5). This appliance was designed
in the overlapping areas between the adjacent dentition to expand the maxillary arch and distalize the maxillary
(Fig 4). Furthermore, the maxillary second molars were molars simultaneously to create spaces for crowding
February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Wang et al 245
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2
246 Wang et al
Fig 4. Cone-beam computed tomography image identifying the position of the maxillary right lateral
incisor and its proximity to adjacent teeth.
February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Wang et al 247
Fig 6. Three months into treatment: effective expansion and distalized molars.
Fig 7. Seven months into treatment: further transverse expansion and molar distalization.
Fig 8. The adaptive reconstructions of the DRME: A, the casting coverages to the second premolars
were removed, and the posterior parts of the acrylic bases were fused to distalize the second premo-
lars; B, the anterior part of the DRME was removed, and the posterior one remained to retract the maxil-
lary labial segment.
distalization in this patient could also have been a factor. popular palatal appliances. Although distal movement
According to Kinzinger et al,16 the side effects—eg, of the molars takes place remarkably, an adverse reaction
tipping and extrusion—can be prevented or minimized of mesialization of the premolars of 1 to 2.5 mm and
in molar distalization with a favorable developmental labial tipping of maxillary the incisors of 1.7 to 3.3
status of the second molars, if their root formations can occur.4,16-21 Therefore, on average, 55% to 80%
are far from total completion. of the space obtained comes from distalization of the
In the sagittal plane, it has been reported that molars and 20% to 45% from mesialization of the
noncompliance intramaxillary molar distalization appli- premolars and labial tipping of the incisors. In this
ances produce distal molar movement, which is a combi- patient, the anchorage against molar distalization was
nation of distal crown movement and tipping, with a increased as a result of the unique design of the
concomitant and unavoidable loss of anchorage.15 DRME, where the casting coverage of all premolars
Anchorage loss is observed through premolar mesial and the acrylic base on an increased area of the palate
movement and incisor mesial crown and tipping move- secured the anchorage rigidly. The anchorage control
ments. The pendulum appliance is one of the most was further indicated by cast measurement, which
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2
248 Wang et al
Fig 9. MIAs were placed to enhance the anchorage for retraction of the maxillary labial segment.
Fig 10. Posttreatment extraoral and intraoral photographs showing an improved facial appearance,
and correction of the malpositioned maxillary right lateral incisor and the Class II molar relationship.
February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Wang et al 249
showed distal movement of the molars of 4 mm and anchorage loss in the labial segment. The proclination
distal tipping of 1.7 , and mesial movement of the of the maxillary incisors to some extent in this patient,
premolars of 0.4 mm and mesial tipping of 0.1 . Using however, was favorable because it allowed not only for
the Nance appliance, Antonarakis and Kiliaridis15 re- the labial segment alignment, but also for the correction
ported molar distalization of 3.1 mm with 3.6 of distal of the originally retroclined maxillary incisors. Undeni-
tipping, and premolar mesialization of 1.3 mm with 0.1 ably, anchorage loss in this patient on the maxillary
of mesial tipping. The maxillary incisors, on the other anterior teeth occurred during distalization of the maxil-
hand, demonstrated 3.6 of labial tipping and 1.1 mm lary first molars because the DRME was a tooth-and-tis-
of labial movement, indicating a certain degree of sue–supported appliance rather than a bone-supported
American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2
250 Wang et al
Fig 13. Posttreatment cephalometric superimpositions. The overall superimposition shows a skeletal
base change from Class II to Class I; the regional superimpositions show appropriate proclinations of
the maxillary and mandibular segments and correction of the molar relationship.
one. Several types of MIAs have been used in the palate loss in the first molars. The second modification, on the
in conjunction with molar distalizing devices to provide other hand, where the whole anterior part of the DRME
better anchorage, thus presumably reducing the unde- was removed and the posterior part remained as a rigid
sired side effects to the anterior dentition in the maxil- transpalatal arch (Fig 8, B), was designed to better
lary arch.22-24 In this case, MIAs were placed at the retract the maxillary labial segment without sacrificing
later stage in the posterior buccal alveolar bone as the anchorage in the buccal segment. The phasic modi-
reinforcement of anchorage against the retraction of fications and reconstructions of the DRME in this study
the maxillary labial segment. may become a new protocol for stabilization of the
Upon the successful molar distalization and creation already distalized molars and therefore secure the effi-
of spaces, it always remains a difficult and critical task to ciency of the premolar distalization and the subsequent
distalize the premolars and then to retract the maxillary retraction of the maxillary front teeth.
labial segment without a substantial loss of anchorage To treat this patient without extractions, a significant
burdened on the already distalized molars. One common amount of maxillary molar distalization was critical. The
clinical observation is that some posterior anchorage loss timing of the molar displacement, as mentioned earlier,
is visible when retraction of the anterior teeth is carried might have played a role. A favorable time to move mo-
out in the second phase of treatment. In our patient, the lars distally appears to be in the mixed dentition before
constant design modifications and laboratory recon- the eruption of the second molars.25 Kinzinger et al16
structions of the DRME were implemented to reinforce suggested that the best time to start therapy with a
the anchorage sustainability from the distalized molars. pendulum appliance is before the eruption of the
The first modification, where the casting coverage to the second molars in young patients. They also suggested
second premolars was removed and the posterior parts of that if distalization of the first and second molars is
the separated acrylic bases were merged (Fig 8, A), aimed considered, enucleation of the third molar tooth buds
to better distalize the premolars at no cost of anchorage should be conducted simultaneously. Karlsson and
February 2015 Vol 147 Issue 2 American Journal of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics
Wang et al 251
Bondemark9 found that intraoral movement of the 7. Carano A, Testa M. The distal jet for upper molar distalization. J
maxillary first molars before eruption of the maxillary Clin Orthod 1996;30:374-80.
8. Puente M. Class II correction with an edgewise-modified Nance
second molars results in more effective molar movement
appliance. J Clin Orthod 1997;31:178-82.
and less anchorage loss than after eruption of the 9. Karlsson I, Bondemark L. Intraoral maxillary molar distalization.
second molars. In this patient, a careful inspection of Angle Orthod 2006;76:923-9.
the panoramic radiograph showed the developmental 10. Bondemark L, Karlsson I. Extraoral vs intraoral appliance for distal
status of the second molars with full crowns and the movement of maxillary first molars: a randomized controlled trial.
Angle Orthod 2005;75:699-706.
initial formation of the roots (Fig 3), suggesting good
11. McLaughlin RP, Bennett JC. Anchorage control during leveling
timing for molar distalization. and aligning with a preadjusted appliance system. J Clin Orthod
1991;25:687-96.
CONCLUSIONS 12. Sayinsu K, Isik F, Allaf F, Arun T. Unilateral molar distalization with
a modified slider. Eur J Orthod 2006;28:361-5.
A specially designed intraoral orthopedic appliance, 13. Ferguson DJ, Carano A, Bowman SJ, Davis EC, Gutierrez Vega ME,
the DRME, featuring transverse expansion and sagittal Lee SH. A comparison of two maxillary molar distalizing appliances
distalization mechanisms, was used to treat a growing with the distal jet. World J Orthod 2005;6:382-90.
patient diagnosed with a skeletal Class II base with severe 14. Bondemark L. A comparative analysis of distal maxillary molar
movement produced by a new lingual intra-arch Ni-Ti coil appli-
crowding. The concomitant and diversified orthopedic ance and a magnetic appliance. Eur J Orthod 2000;22:683-95.
forces contributed to creating spaces for relief of crowd- 15. Antonarakis GS, Kiliaridis S. Maxillary molar distalization with
ing in the labial segment and to achieving a Class I molar noncompliance intramaxillary appliances in Class II malocclusion.
relationship in the buccal segment. The adaptive recon- A systematic review. Angle Orthod 2008;78:1133-40.
structions of the DRME during different stages of the 16. Kinzinger GS, Fritz UB, Sander FG, Diedrich PR. Efficiency of a
pendulum appliance for molar distalization related to second
treatment strengthened the anchorage of the distalized and third molar eruption stage. Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop
molars to support the retraction of the premolars and 2004;125:8-23.
the labial segment. 17. Ghosh J, Nanda RS. Evaluation of an intraoral maxillary molar dis-
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639-46.
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
18. Byloff FK, Darendeliler MA. Distal molar movement using the
pendulum appliance. Part 1: clinical and radiological evaluation.
We thank Dental Laboratory Ichban, Shanghai, Angle Orthod 1997;67:249-60.
China, for fabrication and reconstructions of the ortho- 19. Byloff FK, Darendeliler MA, Clar E, Darendeliler A. Distal molar
pedic appliance. movement using the pendulum appliance. Part 2: the effects of
maxillary molar root uprighting bends. Angle Orthod 1997;67:
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