title: Treatment effects of mandibular total arch distalization using a ramal plate.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this study was to evaluate treatment effects after distalization of the mandibular dentition using ramal plates through lateral cephalograms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pre- and post-treatment lateral cephalograms and dental casts of 22 adult patients (11 males and 11 females; mean age, 23.9 ± 5.52 years) who received ramal plates for mandibular molar distalization were analyzed. The treatment effects and amount of distalization of the mandibular molars were calculated and tested for statistical significance. The significance level was set at p < 0.001.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mandibular first molar distalization at the crown and root were 2.10 mm (p < 0.001) and 0.81 mm (p = 0.011), respectively. In the evaluation of skeletal variables, there was a significant increase in the Wits appraisal (p < 0.001). In the evaluation of the soft tissue, there was no significant effect on upper lip position, but the lower lips showed a significant retraction of 2.2 mm (p < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The mandibular molars showed a significant amount of distalization accompanied by limited extrusion and mesiobuccal rotation of the crowns. A ramal plate may be a viable device for mandibular total arch distalization in Class III patients who are reluctant to undergo orthognathic surgery.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Graduate School of Clinical Dental Science, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jonghan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yu
authors.affiliation: Postgraduate Orthodontic Program, Arizona School of Dentistry & Oral Health, A.T. Still University, Mesa, AZ, USA.; Graduate School of Dentistry, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Jae Hyun
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Park
authors.affiliation: Department of Dentistry, Graduate School, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.; Department of Postgraduate Studies, the Universidad Autonóma del Paraguay, Asunción, Paraguay.
authors.forename: Mohamed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bayome
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Sungkon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoon-Ah
authors.initials: YA
authors.lastname: Kook
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Yoonji
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Kim
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Seoul St. Mary's Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Korea.
authors.forename: Chang-Hyen
authors.initials: CH
authors.lastname: Kim
keywords: Cephalometrics; Class III treatment; Distalizing; Miniplate; Total arch distalization