A comparative analysis of distal maxillary molar movement produced by a new lingual intra-arch Ni-Ti coil appliance and a magnetic appliance

The aim of the study was to evaluate cephalometrically the dental and skeletal treatment effects of a new lingual intra-arch Ni-Ti coil appliance for molar distalization and to compare these with those of an established intra-arch appliance that uses repelling magnets for distal molar movement. Two groups of 21 adolescents, all girls, participated in this retrospective study. One group was treated with the new lingual Ni-Ti coil appliance for 6.5 months and the other with the magnetic appliance for 5.8 months. The treatment effects were analysed by measurements on lateral head radiographs at the start of treatment and after the molar distalization was completed. The mean amount of distal molar movement was 2.5 mm (SD 0.69) in the lingual coil group and 2.6 mm (SD 0.51) in the magnet group. A significantly higher degree of distal molar tipping was found in the magnet group, -8.8 degrees, compared with -2.2 degrees for the lingual coil group. Due to anchorage loss, the maxillary incisors moved forwards, and the overjet was increased by an average of 1.2 mm in the lingual coil group and 1.7 mm in the magnet group. The results indicate that the new lingual Ni-Ti coil appliance was better choice than the magnet appliance for distal bodily movement of maxillary molars. The benefits of the new Ni-Ti appliance were due to the design preventing molar tipping and its single activation.