Objective: Clinical comparison of the osseointegrated palatal implant (PI) supported anchorage with conventional dental anchorage (DA) in extraction cases requiring ‘maximum anchorage’ in adolescents.
Subjects and Methods: 30 patients with homogeneous facial skeletal characteristics (mean age: 14.22 ± 1.37 years) were randomly allocated. In the PI group (n=15, mean age 14.15 ± 1.2 years) Orthosystem® implants were placed into the palate and a 1.2x1.2 mm thick rigid TPA was fixed to the implant and to the molar bands by laser welding. In the DA group (n=15, mean age 14.3 ± 1.57 years) the maximal anchorage was provided by a TPA and a 0.017 x 0.025 inch SS utility arch. The main outcome measures were duration of the orthodontic treatment phases and cephalometric analysis of maxillary first molar movement.
Results: Insignificant difference (p=0.47) was observed between the groups regarding the duration of the extraction’s gap closure. In the PI group the duration of the front retraction (p < 0.001) and the total treatment time was shorter (p < 0.05). No significant difference in molar mesial movement was found in both treatment phases even if the net molar anchorage loss was 4.35 ± 1.69 mms in the DA group while 3.7 ± 1.94 mms in the PI group. (p=0.35)
Conclusion: A shorter orthodontic treatment period was achieved by fastening the anchorage teeth to palatal implant, compared to dental anchorage. The use of palatal implant was without complication, representing a safe treatment procedure in growing adolescents when correctly indicated in ‘maximum anchorage’ cases.