PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to evaluate and compare the perceived pain intensity, side effects and discomfort related to the moment of placement, during mechanics and removal of a mini-screw for molar distalization in orthodontic treatment. METHODS: The sample consisted of 30 adult patients with a mean age of 30 years old, with class II malocclusion subdivision right or left. A mini-screw was installed in each patient, in the maxillary arch to provide a molar distalization. The patients answered a questionnaire to assess their opinions on the treatment. RESULTS: Ninety percent of the patients chose mini-screws over pre-molar extraction (orthodontic camouflage), or the use of an extra-oral appliance (Kloehn cervical traction) or another non-compliance treatment to class II. Aphthous ulcer was the side effect most frequent after placement of the mini-screw (30%). The greatest discomfort was felt during infiltration anesthesia (27%), though 23% reported no discomfort during placement. Eighty-three percent of the patients reported no pain during placement, which may be associated with the degree of satisfaction with the treatment (100%) and recommendation of the procedure to other patients (100%). CONCLUSION: Mini-screws were well accepted by the patients and were efficient for molar distalization when utilized in association with orthodontic treatment for Class II malocclusion.
Orthodontics; Angle Class II malocclusion; orthodontic anchorage procedures
