The Indirect Palatal Miniscrew Anchorage and Distalization Appliance

Distalization of the upper molars is an important treatment option for the correction of Class II malocclusion. Although extra- or intraoral devices have traditionally been used in such cases, the esthetic and social concerns associated with headgear and the undesirable anchorage loss caused by intraoral devices have prompted clinicians to investigate the possibility of using miniscrew implants as anchorage devices. Most of the miniscrew-supported intraoral appliances used to distalize the upper molars are adaptations of preexisting non-compliance devices, such as the Distal Jet or Pendulum, anchored to miniscrews in the paramedian palate or midpalatal suture. Although these appliances are capable of producing significant distal molar movement, they are difficult to fabricate and, when palatal acrylic buttons are used, tend to impede oral hygiene.