Determining the center of resistance of maxillary anterior teeth subjected to retraction forces in sliding mechanics. An in vivo study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the location of center of resistance and the relationship between height of retraction force on power arm (power-arm length) and movement of anterior teeth (degree of rotation) during sliding mechanics retraction.

MATERIALS AND METHODS: Three human subjects with maxillary protrusion were selected for this study. Initial tooth displacements of maxillary right central incisor under sliding mechanics with various heights of retraction forces were measured in vivo using a two-point three-dimensional displacement magnetic sensor device. By calculating the angle of rotation from the displacements measured, the location of the center of resistance was determined.

RESULTS: The results suggested that different heights of retraction forces could affect the direction of anterior tooth movement. The higher the retraction force was applied, the lower the degree of rotation (crown-lingual tipping) would be. The tooth rotation was in the opposite direction (from crown-lingual to crown-labial) if the height of the force was raised above the level of the center of resistance.

CONCLUSION: The location of the center of resistance of the maxillary central incisor was approximately 0.77 of the root length from the apex. During anterior tooth retraction with sliding mechanics, controlled crown-lingual tipping, bodily translation movement, and controlled crown-labial movement could be achieved by attaching a power-arm length that was lower, equivalent, or higher than the level of the center of resistance, respectively. The power-arm length could be the most easily modifiable clinical factor in determining the direction of anterior tooth movement during retraction with sliding mechanics.