Indirect anchorage (In-A) has been broadly used for anchorage reinforcement during anterior segment retraction. The study compared between the efficacy of rigid vs non-rigid connections of In-A i during upper canine retraction in dentoalveolar protrusion cases

Fifteen female patients with dentoalveolar protrusion were included in this study. A miniscrew was inserted following levelling and alignment between the upper first molar and second premolar of both sides. Randomization was applied before first premolar extraction where one side of the arch received a rigid indirect anchorage connection (Group I) of 0.019 x 0.025-inch stainless steel (St.St) archwire from the miniscrew to the auxiliary tube of the upper first molar band, and the other side received a non-rigid indirect anchorage connection (Group II) of 0.014-inch St.St ligature ligating the upper second premolar to the miniscrew. Canine retraction was performed on 0.017 x 0.025-inch St.St archwire applying 1.5 N retraction force. The duration of the study was 7 months. Data was collected from digitized models where anchorage loss of the upper first molar relative to the frontal plane and the vertical position of the upper second premolar were measured

Inclusion Criteria:

Adult females Bimaxillary protrusion requiring first premolars extractions Full permanent dentition Good oral hygiene

Exclusion Criteria:

History of previous orthodontic treatment Abnormalities in teeth size and/or shape Vertical, transverse, or anteroposterior skeletal discrepancies Anti-inflammatory medication