• The Journal of the Korean dental association
• /
• v.57 no.11
• /
• pp.654-663
• /
• 2019

This case report describes the management of a 30-year-old woman with hopeless mandibular first molars and right maxillary second premolar. The treatment plan included mandibular second and third molar protraction after extraction of mandibular first molars. Mini-implants were placed between roots of first and second premolar. Sliding mechanics with lever arm was used to prevent inclination of molars. A good functional occlusion was achieved in 38 months without clinically significant side effects. Most of the extraction space of mandibular first molar was closed by protraction of second and third molars. The skeletal Class II pattern was improved by counterclockwise rotation of mandible through reduction of wedge effect. Mandibular molar protraction with orthodontic mini-implants in adequate cases would be a great alternative to prosthetic implant and reduce the financial and surgical burden of patients.

• Journal of Dental Rehabilitation and Applied Science
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.260-269
• /
• 2019

The prolonged neglect of the posterior teeth missing area may cause mesial drift, extrusion, unexpected movement of the adjacent teeth and alveolar bone loss with occlusion collapse. Therefore it is recommended to treat that area by the prosthesis as soon as possible after tooth missing. However, if orthodontic treatment is applied to move the remained teeth, it can create improved biomechanical dentoalveolar environment. The use of the third molars in teeth missing area provides advantages as optimizing of prosthesis size. However, crown shape, location, soundness of the third molar and possible of eruption failure should be considered. In this case report, two patients closed a second teeth missing site and reduced the size of the first and second teeth missing area for an implant by protraction of impacted third molars. This case reports the considerations for closing or reducing the posterior teeth space with protracting the third molars by comparing two patients.