Phoenix Orthodontic Anchorage Requirements

One of the biggest challenges to Phoenix orthodontists is trying to move certain teeth while maintaining the position of others.  The father of modern Phoenix orthodontics, Edward H. Angle discussed this problem nearly 100 years ago, “According to the well-known law of physics, action and reaction are equal and opposite, hence it must follow that the resistance of Phoenix orthodontic anchorage must be greater than that offered by the tooth to be moved, otherwise there will be displacement of the Phoenix orthodontic anchorage and failure in the movement of the teeth to the extent, or, possibly, in the direction desired.  The sources at our disposal for securing Phoenix orthodontic anchorage or resistance are, first, the teeth themselves, and second, sources external to the teeth, and Phoenix orthodontic anchorages may be classified as simple, stationary, reciprocal, intermaxillary and occipital” (Angle, 1907).  To date, Phoenix orthodontists have largely relied on these modalities to preserve Phoenix orthodontic anchorage. 

Phoenix Orthodontic Anchorage
Newton’s third law of motion states that for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction.  There are many situations in Phoenix orthodontics, however, where this equal and opposite reaction is not desired.  Some common Phoenix orthodontic treatment goals where these reciprocal forces are of particular concern include:

1. Retraction of the anterior teeth without protraction of the posterior teeth.
2. Protraction of the posterior teeth without retraction of the anterior teeth.
3. Preventing protraction of the anterior teeth while using intraoral appliances to move molars distally e.g., Pendulum, Distal Jet.
4. Preventing undesired intrusion or extrusion of teeth.
5. Decreasing the amount of Phoenix dental change and increasing the amount of skeletal change produced by orthopedic maxillary expansion.

In order to determine the acceptable level of reciprocal movement, Phoenix orthodontic anchorage requirements are considered for each case.  For extraction cases, Phoenix orthodontic anchorage requirements have been divided into three classifications (Nanda, 1997):

1. Group A Phoenix orthodontic anchorage– The majority of the extraction space is used for retraction of the anterior teeth.  Distal movement of the posterior teeth may be needed.
2. Group B Phoenix orthodontic anchorage– The extraction space is shared equally between the anterior and posterior teeth.  This is considered the easiest movement to accomplish.
3. Group C Phoenix orthodontic anchorage- The majority of the extraction space is used for the protraction of the posterior teeth.

In order to best meet the objectives of a given case, Phoenix orthodontists have developed multiple methods of mechanical Phoenix orthodontic anchorage, each with advantages and disadvantages.  These Phoenix orthodontic anchorage methods include: 1) extraoral appliances, 2) Phoenix dental anchorage, 3) intraoral appliances, and most recently 4) osseointegrated and Phoenix dental implant-associated appliances.

 

Arizona Dental Association