Evaluation of Stress Distribution of Maxillary Anterior Segment during en Masse Retraction Using Posterior Mini Screw: A Finite Element Study

Abstract

The current study aimed to perceive and estimate the distribution of stress generated by the forces on the maxillary anterior teeth during orthodontic retraction using the bilateral mini screw implant. Finite element models were generated from the three-dimensional (3D) reconstruction of the maxillary arch via cone–beam computed tomography (CBCT). These models imitate the retraction of maxillary anterior teeth with the mini screw placed as the skeletal anchorage. The titanium mini screw of 1.3 mm × 8 mm dimension was placed at a height of 9 mm between the first molar and second premolar on both sides of the maxilla. A nickel titanium (NiTi) coil spring of 9 mm length was attached from the mini screw implant to the power arm which generated a force of 250 gm/side. Two different power arms were placed between the lateral incisor and canine at a height of 4 mm (group 1) and 8 mm (group 2), respectively. There were no significant differences observed when the stress values were compared to the left side and the right side in group 1 with a power arm of 4 mm. In group 2, the stresses around the lateral incisors were found to be on the higher side when compared with the central incisors and canines. The length of the power arm shows no significant difference in stress distribution pattern on the left and right sides except for stresses moving from the canine region to the lateral incisor region with the increase in power arm height.