Unusual extraction treatment in Class II division 1 using C-orthodontic mini-implants

Abstract

This paper describes the treatment of a female patient, aged 23 years and 5 months, with a Class II division 1 malocclusion, who showed severe anterior protrusion and lower anterior crowding. Specially-designed orthodontic mini-implants were placed bilaterally in the interdental space between both the upper and the lower posterior teeth. Both lower first molars showed severe apical lesions. Therefore, the treatment plan consisted of extraction of both upper first premolars and lower first molars, en masse retraction of the upper six anterior teeth, lower anterior alignment, and protraction of all the lower molars. C-implants(R) were used as substitutes for maxillary posterior anchorage teeth during anterior retraction and as hooks for mandibular molar protraction. The correct overbite and overjet were obtained by intruding and retracting the upper six anterior teeth into their proper positions. The dentition was detailed using conventional orthodontic appliances. The upper C-implants contributed to an improvement in facial balance, and the lower C-implants made it possible to protract the lower second and third molars with less effect on the axis of the lower anterior teeth. The active treatment period was 29 months and the patient's teeth continued to be stable 11 months after debonding.