Posterior Available Space for Uprighting Horizontally Impacted Mandibular Second Molars Using Orthodontic Microimplant Anchorage

Abstract

Treatment of horizontally and deeply impacted mandibular molars is challenging for both orthodontists and oral surgeons because of the limited access and anchorage control. We report on two patients who had horizontally and mesially impacted mandibular second molars (MM2s). Both patients were treated by a surgical orthodontic approach, and the crowns of the impacted teeth were brought into the arches by closed forced eruption. Mesially impacted MM2s were uprighted with orthodontic microimplants, inserted in the retromolar area, and then moved into their ideal position. The first patient was in an active growing stage, while the second patient was beyond the active growing stage. Therefore posterior available space (PAS) should be analyzed before treatment of impacted MM2s to prevent periodontal problems after uprighting of impacted teeth. If PAS is not enough for uprighting impacted MM2s, alternative treatment should be considered based on the stage of growth.