October 28-30, 2022 · COEX, Seoul, Korea

Precongress: TADs in Korea

Uprighting Impacted Mandibular Second Molars with a Cantilever System Using TADs

Sang-Jin Sung (성상진)

Professor Sang-Jin Sung graduated from Yonsei University College of Dentistry and he completed orthodontic specialty training in the department of Orthodontics Yonsei University Dental Hospital and received his orthodontic certificate in 1995. He obtained doctoral degrees from the same university in 2000. From 2003 to 2004 he served as a visiting professor at UCLA in the United States and from 2021 to present, he has been the president of Korean Society of Digital Orthodontists. Currently, He is a Professor in Department of Orthodontics, Asan Medical Center, College of Medicine, University of Ulsan.
E-mail: ssjmail@hanafos.com

Lecture Description

When the first molar is missing in a dental arch, the second molar tips mesially. For ideal prosthetic treatment of the missing first molar, the second molar should be uprighted. Further, to maintain the existing occlusion, second molar extrusion must be prevented.

The second molar may be tipped mesially and be impacted due to an abnormal eruption process. In such cases, both uprighting and extrusion of the molar must be performed using an appropriate treatment strategy.

The traditional use of tip-back cantilever springs to upright the second molar is simple and efficient; however, in case of impaction, the use of orthodontic mini-implants (OMI) instead of splinting of the teeth for anchorage can help correct an impacted second molar without burden on the tooth anchorage. In particular, if the OMI head design is capable of engaging a cantilever spring, a severely impacted second molar can be easily corrected with an orthodontic appliance consisting of only a tube on the second molar, a 017×025 TMA cantilever spring, and one OMI.