RESUMO
The purpose of this investigation was to study the spatial changes of the maxillofacial complex following maxillary protraction transmitted to the center of resistance of a dry juvenile human skull by a modified maxillary protraction appliance. Four dry juvenile human skulls (without mandible) with well aligned upper deciduous dentition and early mixed dentition were used as experimental samples. A modified protraction headgear was fabricated from a Delare's facemask, and following an alginate impression, an orthodontic resin maxillary splint was made for each dry skull. Protraction force level was maintained at approximately 1000gm per side for 6 hours. Cephalometric radiographs were taken pre- and post-protraction, and nine reference markers with 1.5 mm length of .017 x .025 TMA wire were placed on the right side of the skull for an accurate superimposition of serial cephalometric radiographs. The present investigation demonstrated that vertical changes associated with an anterior displacement of the maxillary complex was observed, and the most prominent effect of protraction headgear was a counterclockwise rotation of the maxilla, that is, a forward and downward tipping around the palatomaxillary region.
