A finite element study on three maxillary protraction devices for treating maxillary sagittal hypoplasia at different levels of bone fusion.

ABSTRACT:

Objective

This study utilized three-dimensional finite element analysis to assess stress distribution in the maxilla and sutures, as well as craniofacial bone and tooth displacement, in patients exhibiting mild to moderate sutural fusion when using three distinct maxillary protraction devices.

Methods

A craniofacial composite model with mild to moderate sutural fusion was constructed and fitted with three types of appliances: a tooth-supported maxillary protraction device, a micro-implant maxillary protraction device, and an invisible aligner maxillary protraction device. A traction force was applied at a 30° forward-downward angle relative to the occlusal plane. The equivalent elastic strain conditions of the maxilla and suture lines were compared and analyzed, along with c

SUBMITTER: Sun K 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12932591 | biostudies-literature | 2026

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature