This clinical study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Elastics and Elastic chains in maxillary canine retraction. Participants of this study were patients undergoing maxillary canine retraction after first premolar extraction. The study aimed to determine an effective method for better controlling tooth movement.

This study was initiated on 01-2024. Initially, I was not aware of the importance of early registration on ClinicalTrials.gov. Registration was completed after the study began to ensure transparency and adherence to ethical guidelines. All study procedures and protocols have been conducted under the supervision of the academic advisor. All study procedures and protocols have been followed according to institutional and ethical guidelines

This split-mouth Randomized clinical trial was conducted on 33 patients who needed maxillary canine retraction. Participants were randomly selected one side to receive an elastic chain and the other for elastics, as a method for canine retraction. The intervention period lasted for 15 weeks, and the elastics were replaced by the patient every three days, while elastic chains were exchanged by the principal investigator at 5-week appointments. The type of movement that occurred with each method was evaluated to measure the rate of tooth movement, tipping, and rotation resulting. The study was conducted under the supervision and approval of the Research Ethics Committee at Sana'a University, Faculty of Dentistry. All procedures were performed according to the approved protocol, ensuring participant safety and data accuracy.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients' treatment required 1st premolar extractions in the maxillary arch and space closure involving canine retraction.
• Teeth in the buccal segments were without any gross anatomic root anomalies as determined by panoramic radiographs.
• There is no gross evidence of asymmetric bone loss in the buccal segments of a given arch as determined by panoramic radiographs.
• Crown/root ratios of contralateral canines and premolars are within 3 mm of one another as determined by panoramic radiographs.

Exclusion Criteria:

• Patients with gross anatomical anomalies in upper maxillary canines
• Patients with growth and development problems.
• Evidence of bone loss.
• Presence of Impacted Canine.
• History of long-term use of NSAIDs and corticosteroids or drugs affect bone metabolism. Patients who reported any medication interfering with bone metabolism or patients with severe skeletal discrepancies indicated for orthognathic treatment.
• Patients with latex materials allergy.

I plan to share de-identified individual participant data (IPD) related to the main outcomes of this study. The data will be available upon reasonable request and after the results are published. Only researchers with valid proposals will be allowed access. Data will be shared through secure methods and only for academic purposes

Start Date: 01-Jan-2026 End Date: 31-Dec-2030

Qualified researchers who submit a valid research proposal will be able to access de-identified individual participant data, including digital models and treatment outcome measurements. Data will be available through a secure online repository upon approval of the research proposal.

Due to the nature of the clinical intervention, neither the patients nor the investigator could be blinded to the treatment. However, researcher blinding was implemented at the data measurement stage through coding of OPG images and dental models by inter examiner, before measurements began. The researcher was blinded to patient identities and the type of retraction method used on each side (elastic chain vs. elastics).