Movement of the mandibular central incisors with a lingual fixed appliance

Abstract

We used two-dimensional finite element analysis to compare the mechanical reaction in tissues surrounding the mandibular central incisors for cases where force was applied to the lingual and labial sides of the teeth. Using preoperative and postoperative cephalograms, movements of the mandibular central incisors during orthodontic treatment with lingual fixed appliances were compared to movements with labial fixed appliances during leveling of the mandible in non-extraction cases. Both studies indicated that reactive flare-out movements of mandibular central incisors were less with lingual fixed appliances than with labial fixed appliances. Shika Igaku (J Osaka Odontol Soc) 2003 Mar; 66(1): 1-8.