Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the craniomaxillofacial changes when using high-pull J-hook headgear (HPJH) and mini-implants (MIs) as maxillary anchorage in adolescents.
Study design: 40 female adolescents with dentoalvolar protrusion were divided into 2 groups; the HPJH group (n=20) and the MI group (n=20). Lateral cephalograms taken before treatment (T0) and after anterior tooth retraction (T1) were superimposed on the stable structures and then craniomaxillofacial changes were evaluated.
Results: The cranial base angle, SNB, and facial angle decreased in the HPJH group but increased in the MI group. ANB decreased more in the MI group than in the HPJH group. Mandibular plane angle increased in the HPJH group but decreased in the MI group. Facial height index increased in the MI group while it showed no change in the HPJH group. Mandibular true rotation occurred clockwise in the HPJH group and counterclockwise in the MI group. Maxillary central incisors were intruded and retracted more in the MI group than in the HPJH group. Maxillary first molars were extruded in the HPJH group and were intruded in the MI group. Maxillary first molars were protracted more in the HPJH group than in the MI group. Mandibular central incisors were retracted more in the HPJH group than the MI group. Mandibular first molars were extruded more in the MI group than in the HPJH group.
Conclusion: More favorable craniomaxillofacial changes occurred in the MI group than in the HPJH group.
Keywords: Anchorage; High-pull J-hook headgear; Mini-implant; Structural superimposition.