Nonextraction treatment with en-masse maxillary dentition distalization using miniscrews: stability after ten years of retention

PurposeLong-term post-treatment stability should be a crucial objective of orthodontic treatment. This article reports the treatment of an adult Class II patient using orthodontic miniscrews as anchorage for maxillary dentition distalization. The main purpose of this report was to examine whether long-term retention was effective for maintaining the obtained optimal occlusion.Materials and methodsThe patient was a 26.5-year-old female diagnosed with skeletal Class I jaw relationship, low angle, Class II molar relationship, maxillary and mandibular anterior crowding, and excessive overjet. To correct the crowding and molar relationship, the maxillary lateral dentition was moved distally using miniscrews. After active treatment, wrap-around retainers were provided to be worn for 10 years.ResultsA normal overjet and overbite, Class I molar relationship, and rigid intercuspation were achieved after active treatment. From pre-treatment to post-treatment, the right and left maxillary molars moved distally with slight intrusion and buccal movement. At the 10-year retention, the maxillary and mandibular molars remained almost unchanged. The maxillary intercanine and maxillary and mandibular intermolar widths increased during active treatment, and remained almost unchanged after active treatment.ConclusionAn optimal occlusion and harmonious facial profile were obtained and maintained for an extended period using maxillary dentition distalization with miniscrews as anchorage.