Efficacy of Skeletally Anchored Modified Leaf Expander in Maxillary Molar Distalization

Kurzzusammenfassung

Background: Distalization in orthodontics is one of conservative treatment modalities that result in gaining space especially in dental orthodontic cases of class ΙΙ molar relationship. Aim: This study aimed to compare the distalization effects of the skeletally anchored modified Leaf Expander versus the skeletally anchored modified conventional Hyrax Expander. Patients and Methods: Thirty patients (15-18 years) requiring maxillary molar distalization were randomly allocated into two groups (n = 15 each). Group 1 received the modified skeletally anchored self-activated Leaf Expander, and Group 2 received the modified skeletally anchored conventional Hyrax Expander. Pre- and post-distalization lateral cephalometric radiographs and digital dental models were analyzed for skeletal, dental, and arch dimensional changes. Treatment duration and adverse events were also recorded. Statistical analysis included paired t-tests and independent t-tests, with Bonferroni correction (α = 0.0045) applied for multiple comparisons. Effect sizes (Cohen's d) were calculated to assess clinical relevance. .