Evaluation of the efficiency of pendulum appliance for molar distalization

Objective To assess the efficiency of the pendulum appliance for molar distalization and its effects on the skeletal components and maxillary dentition.Methods Twenty-five adolescent patients with mild maxillary dental crowding and molar dental relationship were selected as the subjects.All the patients were treated with pendulum appliance for maxillary first molars distalization.Cephalometric analysis was used.Results ①The maxillary first and second molars moved and tipped distally.②The maxillary first premolars and incisors moved mesially and flared slightly.③Increases in dentoalveolar vertical dimensions for the upper second molars were observed,whereas the change of the first molars was not statistically significant.④There was a increase in overjet and a decrease in overbite.⑤Significant increases were observed in the angle MP-SN and lower anterior facial height(ANS-Me).Conclusion ①The pendulum appliance can distalize the upper molars effectively.②The pendulum appliance primarily affects the maxillary dentition,and there are minor effects on the skeletal components.③During the distalization of maxillary molars,there is reciprocal anchorage loss in the premolars and incisors in a mesial direction.