Korean J Orthod.  2010 Feb;40(1):50-60. 10.4041/kjod.2010.40.1.50.

The frog appliance for upper molar distalization: a case report

• Bayram M
• Nur M
• Kilkis D

• KMID: 1975626
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4041/kjod.2010.40.1.50

Abstract

The purpose of this article was to evaluate the effects of a new upper molar distalization system, the Frog Appliance, on dentofacial structures in a Class II, division 1 patient. An 11-year-old girl was referred to our clinic for orthodontic treatment. She had a mild skeletal Class II malocclusion with Class II molar and canine relationship on both sides. The treatment plan included distalization of the upper first molars bilaterally followed by full fixed appliance therapy. For the upper molar distalization, a new system, the Frog Appliance, was constructed and applied. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were used to evaluate the treatment results. Distalization of the upper first molars was achieved in four months successfully, and Class I molar relationship was obtained. Total treatment time was 16 months. According to the results of the cephalometric evaluation, a nearly bodily distal molar movement with a slight anchorage loss was attained. In conclusion, the Frog Appliance was found to be a simple, effective, non-invasive, and compliance-free intraoral distalization appliance for achieving bilateral molar distalization.

Keyword

Distalizing; Class II; Anchorage; Appliances

MeSH Terms

Child
Humans
Malocclusion
Molar

Figure

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  Fig 1 Facial and intraoral photographs of the case before treatment (age 11 years).

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  Fig 2 Pretreatment dental casts of the case.

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  Fig 3 Pretreatment lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs of the case.

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  Fig 4 Parts of the Frog Appliance. A, Screw; B, screw driver; C, preformed spring.

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  Fig 5 Occlusal views of the Frog Appliance. A, During activation; B, on the dental cast and immediately after the cementation (C, D).

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  Fig 6 Upper occlusal view of the patient immediately after the distalization (A), and intraoral photographs after cutting of the anchor wires of premolars (B-D) (after 4 months of distalization).

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  Fig 7 Lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs of the case taken immediately after the distalization.

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  Fig 8 Facial and intraoral photographs of the case at the end of the fixed orthodontic treatment (age 12 years 4 months).

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  Fig 9 Postreatment dental casts of the case.

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  Fig 10 Postreatment lateral cephalometric and panoramic radiographs of the case.

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  Fig 11 Local and total superimpositions of the lateral cephalometric tracings before treatment (solid line), after distalization (dotted line) and after treatment (dashed line).

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  Fig 12 Schematic drawing of distalization effect on the maxillary dentition clearly shows an explicit distal molar movement with a slight anchorage loss on the premolars and the incisors.

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