As orthodontics has evolved, the focus of practice has shifted from extractions to alternative methods of dental alignment, taking into account facial aesthetics. The distalization of the maxillary molars, in use for over a century, has emerged as an effective solution for a variety of orthodontic challenges, including dental crowding and Class II malocclusion. Distalization methods vary based on the characteristics of the case and the biomechanics of the device, ranging from fixed to removable devices and from intraoral to extraoral. Although the Headgear, Herbst, Distal Jet, and Pendulum are among the most commonly used techniques, all require careful patient selection. Moreover, the recent use of skeletal anchorage via mini-implants extends distalization possibilities, providing solutions for complex cases. Thus, it’s essential for the clinician to evaluate and choose the most suitable technique for each patient.
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Calfa et al. (2024) studied this question.
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