METHODS: Medline and Scopus databases were searched up to September 2020 for randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and non-randomized prospective cohort studies on maxillary molar distalization using TSADs in patients with Class II malocclusion. After study selection, data extraction and risk of bias assessment, meta-analyses were performed for the amount of distalization, distal tipping and intrusion of first molars.
RESULTS: Nine studies (2 RCTs and 7 prospective studies) were included. The risk of bias of the RCTs was low to unclear. The non-randomized studies were of moderate quality. In five studies, the TSADs were placed in the infrazygomatic process while in two studies, they were placed in the buccal inter-radicular spaces, and in two studies, they were placed in the midpalatal region. The first molar distalization was 2.75 mm when buccal inter-radicular TSADs were used, but 4.07 and 4.17 mm with palatal and infrazgomatic TSADs. The palatal appliances were associated with 11.17° of distal tipping of the first molar while infrazygomatic and buccal inter-radicular TSADs resulted in 3.99° and 1.70° of tipping, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS: Inter-radicular TSADs resulted in less distal tipping but also in less distalization. Palatal TSAD-supported appliances showed the greatest amount of distal tipping. Further RCTs or prospective studies on the effect of various designs of TSAD-supported distalization are warranted.