Miniplate with a bendable C-tube head allows the clinician to alter biomechanical advantage without physically moving the skeletal anchorage device.

Abstract

BACKGROUNDS: This article introduces a binary function of a miniplate with a

bendable C-tube head used in corticotomy-assisted segment intrusion. The

advantage of the device is that the point of force application can be altered

without having to move the miniplate or place an additional anchorage device.

METHODS: Cases for this study were selected from patients who received

perisegmental corticotomy with compression osteogenesis (Speedy Surgical

Orthodontics) for segmental intrusion. For the skeletal anchorage on patients who

received Speedy Surgical Orthodontics for posterior segment intrusion to improve

on severe open bite correction, the C-tube was placed on the buccal wall of the

maxilla for traction of orthopedic force as a temporary skeletal anchorage. The

C-tube head portion is made with titanium grade II, which makes bending easy with

a Weingart plier. This adjustment regains distance and range needed to continue

intrusion of posterior segment. RESULTS: As an alternative to orthognathic

surgery to correct a severe open bite, perisegmental corticotomy combined with

orthopedic force application from a temporary skeletal anchorage device can be

used. The corticotomy-assisted segment intrusion is a 2-stage procedure: first,

the corticotomy is performed in the palate and 2 weeks later in the buccal

alveolus. A C-plate was placed in the midpalatal area, and a C-tube was placed

apical to the buccal corticotomy site. Elastics were used with orthopedic forces

to induce compression osteogenesis. As the intrusion took place, the elastic

stretched, and resultant force and range in the buccal segment decreased. The

C-tube head was adjusted by bending to gain more distance, reviving the elastic

force on the posterior segment until desired intrusion was accomplished.

CONCLUSIONS: The miniplate with a bendable C-tube head serves for temporary

skeletal anchorage of orthopedic traction force to achieve segmental intrusion

and has the advantage that the bendable head can be adjusted to improve the force

application for intrusion without having to move or place another temporary

skeletal anchorage device.