Clinical methods for the traction of impacted molars and their impact on therapeutic success and treatment duration: a narrative review
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.24265/kiru.2026.v23n3.05Keywords:
Orthodontics; Tooth Eruption; Tooth ImpactedAbstract
Introduction: Impacted molars represent an infrequent but clinically relevant eruptive disorder, often associated with functional and occlusal complications if not treated in a timely manner. Objectives: To evaluate recent evidence on clinical methods used for the traction of impacted molars, with emphasis on success rates and treatment duration. Materials and Methods: An electronic search was conducted in PubMed and ScienceDirect, including original articles in English published between January 2019 and September 2025. Eleven studies related to the traction of impacted molars were included. Results: The studies reported high success rates, ranging from 87,6% to 100%. Techniques supported by skeletal anchorage—particularly the use of miniscrews placed in the mandibular ramus or infrazygomatic crest—showed the shortest treatment times, with significant reductions compared to conventional methods (76 days with miniscrews vs. 168 days without them). Combined surgical and orthodontic approaches also yielded predictable outcomes, although generally with longer treatment durations. Conclusions: Available evidence indicates that traction methods assisted by skeletal anchorage, especially miniscrews placed in the mandibular ramus, provide the most favorable outcomes in terms of therapeutic success and efficiency, representing the preferred approach for managing impacted molars.
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