Comparison of Skeletodental Changes Occurring during Deep Overbite Correction with Mini-Implant Anchorage System and the Utility Arches Reinforced by a Transpalatal Arch

Deep overbite has potentially detrimental effects on mandibular and temporomandibular joint function and periodontal health as well as esthetics. Incisor intrusion can be achieved with various treatment modalities. The most commonly used is the utility arch technique. In mini-implant anchorage system, forces can be applied to produce tooth movement in any direction without detrimental reciprocal forces and does not depend on patient cooperation. Very few studies give a direct comparison between the effects of different types of incisor intrusion mechanics. The aims and objectives of the study were to determine the amount of true incisor intrusion and torque change of the incisors and the molar extrusion attained with mini-implants and utility arch during a 6-month observation period. Fourteen patients with deep bite were selected for the study and were divided equally into the two groups which were treated with utility arch, reinforced with transpalatal arch and miniimplants. Mini-implants were found to be superior as compared to utility arch for intrusion of incisors and there was minimal change of incisor inclination with microimplants. The difference in the extrusion seen is not statistically significant.