Application of Skeletal Anchorage Devices in Growth Modification Treatments: A Literature Review

Abstract

Background: One of the most important orthodontic treatments is the correction of maxillary and mandibular malformations in growing patients by guiding the patient's growth with the help of various appliances.

Objective: This study aimed to review the application of Temporary Anchorage Devices (TAD) in growth modification treatments.

Methods: A comprehensive search was conducted on PubMed, Scopus, Science Direct, Web of Science, and other relevant databases, using specific keywords and criteria to identify studies that evaluated the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of skeletal anchorage devices in growth modification treatments.

Results: Studies were divided into four categories of application of TAD in the Treatment of Class II malocclusion, Class III malocclusion, sagittal, and vertical problems. The results of this study showed that treatment of most of the growing Class II patients was done by using mini-plates with fixed functional appliances like Herbst and Forsus. In some studies of treatment of Class III with maxillary deficiency, mini-plates were used with Class III elastics, in some other studies, the face mask was used with mini-plates. All these methods showed good results at the end of the treatment.

Conclusion: Bone anchors are effective for modifying jaw growth in young patients with sagittal and transverse issues, particularly for maxillary deficiencies. TADs can be used for growth modification at older ages than traditional methods. However, TADs are not recommended for vertical problems.