Establishment of an experimental animal model of maxillary protraction and cephalometric analysis / 实用口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

Objective: To establish an animal model for research of maxillary protraction. Methods: 16 pubertal rabbits were assigned randomly to 2 groups. Titanium bone markers were fixed on each side of mucogingival junction, 1 cm above incisor teeth. The experimental group underwent maxillary protraction by self-made distraction devices. A down and forward elastic force (about 3.43 N) was exerted for 30 days. Results: In 30 d, the distance of premaxilla movement in the experimental group was 1.89 mm averagely, while that in the control group was only 0.11 mm. Cephalometric analysis indicated that the maxilla of rabbits was moved forward obviously by appliance in the experimental group, and maxilla was not rotated. There was no obvious difference between the control and the experimental groups. Conclusion: Animal model used in this experiment for maxillary protraction is reliable. The appliance can move the rabbits maxilla forward obviously during the maxillary protraction.