Assessment of the displacement of the upper molars using the Herbst appliance

Paulo Cezar Rodrigues OGEDA, Jorge ABRÃO

The Herbst appliance is an orthopedic ixed device for treatment of class II malocclusion mainly directed to mandibular growth stimulation in growing patients. Several papers have described its effects during the Class II correction, showing it´s dental and skeletic action occuring in the same proportion. Part of the dental movement is upper molar distalization. This search had the objective of assessing the kind and amount of irst upper molar movement using the Herbst appliance. The sample was composed by 22 skeletal Class II young patients, mean age 12 years 11 months, treated during a period of 10,1 month. The Herbst was constructed using the total anchorage method on the maxillary arch. Lateral cephalometric analysis was used joining linear and angular mesurements in two ocasions: T1, before tretment, and T2 after the appliance had been removed. The refference lines used to compare the points located in the upper molar were the horizontal Frankfurt an S perpendicular throw Frankfurt. The results showed signiicant distal movement of the molar crown and root while the oclusal surface was intruded in comparing to palatal plane. In consequence the occlusal plane rotated in relation to Frankfurt. Our conclusion is that the Herbst appliance is able to promote molar distalization and molar intrusion on the upper arch.

Keywords: Molar distalization. Herbst appliance. Class II maloclusion.

Wednesday, November 27, 2024 00:13