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. 2013 Apr;43(2):101-9.
doi: 10.4041/kjod.2013.43.2.101. Epub 2013 Apr 25.

Combined treatment with headgear and the Frog appliance for maxillary molar distalization: a randomized controlled trial

Ahmad Sharafeddin Burhan  1
Affiliations

Combined treatment with headgear and the Frog appliance for maxillary molar distalization: a randomized controlled trial

Ahmad Sharafeddin Burhan. Korean J Orthod. 2013 Apr.

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the efficiency of the Frog appliance (FA) alone or in combination with headgear for distalizing the maxillary molars.

Methods: Fifty patients (25 males and 25 females) aged 12.6 - 16.7 years who received treatment for Class II malocclusion at the Orthodontic Clinic of Al-Baath University were selected for this study and randomly divided into 2 equal groups. Maxillary molar distalization was achieved using the FA alone (group 1) or a combination of the FA with high-pull headgear worn at night (group 2). Lateral cephalograms were obtained before and after treatment.

Results: The maxillary molars moved distally by 5.51 and 5.93 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively. Distal movements were associated with axial tipping by 4.96° and 1.25°, and with loss of anchorage by mesial movement of the second maxillary premolars by 2.70 and 0.90 mm in groups 1 and 2, respectively. The combined use of the FA and nighttime high-pull headgear decreased the distalization time and improved the ratio of maxillary molar distalization movement relative to the overall opening space between the first maxillary molars and second premolars.

Conclusions: The FA can effectively distalize the maxillary molars, this distalization associates with some unfavorable changes. Nighttime use of high-pull headgear combined with the FA can reduce these unfavorable changes and improve treatment outcomes.

Keywords: Headgear; Malocclusion; Molar distalization; Orthodontic appliances.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors report no commercial, proprietary, or financial interest in the products or companies described in this article.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Patient flow chart.
Figure 2
Figure 2
A, Components of the Frog appliance. B, The Frog appliance after fabrication.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Intraoral view of the Frog appliance. A, Before treatment. B, After treatment.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Intraoral view of the Frog appliance with the face bow in place.
Figure 5
Figure 5
The Frog appliance. A, Before treatment. B, After treatment. C, Overcorrection.
Figure 6
Figure 6
Cephalometric dental measurements used in the study. A, Linear measurements. B, Angular measurements. S, Sella; N, nasion; Po, porion; PT, pterygoid; FHP, Frankfurt plane; Or, orbitale; ANS, anterior nasal spine; PNS, posterior nasal spine; SPP, ANS-PNS; MP, mandibular plane; PTV, pterygoid vertical plane; Me, Menton.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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