Abstract:

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy of micro-screw anchorage and traditional anchorage in the orthodontic treatment of adult skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion. Methods A total of 86 adult patients with skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion admitted to our hospital were prospectively included. The case collection period was from June 2019 to June 2024. The patients were divided into two groups according to the random number table method： the study group （n = 43） and the control group （n = 43）. The control group received traditional extracoronal arch anchorage treatment， while the study group received micro-screw anchorage treatment. Compare the sella-nasion-A point （SNA）， sella-nasion-B point （SNB）， A point-nasion-B point （ANB）， probing depth （PD）， plaque index （PLI）， occlusal function indicators， and the occurrence of complications between the two groups. Results After treatment， there was no statistically significant difference in the SNA， ANB， and SNB angles between the two groups compared with those before treatment （P > 0.05）； there was also no statistically significant difference in each index between the two groups （P > 0.05）. After treatment， the PD and PLI values in the control group significantly increased compared to those before treatment （P < 0.05）； although the various indicators in the study group slightly rose， there was no statistically significant difference compared to those before treatment （P > 0.05）. The PD results of the two groups after treatment were comparable （P > 0.05）， and the PLI of the study group was lower than that of the control group （P < 0.05）. After treatment， the contact area of occlusion in both groups increased， and the occlusion time and the asymmetry index of bite force decreased. Moreover， the improvement in each indicator in the study group was more significant （P < 0.05）. During the treatment period， the total incidence rates of complications in the study group and the control group were comparable （P > 0.05）. Conclusions In the orthodontic treatment of adult skeletal Class Ⅲ malocclusion， the effect of micro-implant anchorage in improving the sagittal relationship of the jawbone is comparable to that of traditional extracoronal arch anchorage， without increasing the risk of complications. However， in terms of maintaining periodontal health and optimizing occlusal function， micro-implant anchorage demonstrates significant advantages.

Key words: micro-screw anchorage, skeletal class Ⅲ malocclusion, adult orthodontics, extracoronal arch anchorage, periodontal health, occlusal function