Anchorage reinforcement with a fixed functional appliance during protraction of the mandibular second molars into the first molar extraction sites

• Anchorage reinforcement during second molar protraction was provided using a fixed functional appliance.
• No skeletal or dental Class II correction was attempted using the fixed functional appliance.
• Use of stiff archwires prevented tipping of second molars during molar protraction phase.

Protraction of posterior teeth into edentulous spaces is a challenge. This report describes the treatment of a 19-year-old woman with missing mandibular first molars owing to caries. A fixed functional appliance was used for anchorage reinforcement during mandibular second molar protraction. Eight millimeters of bilateral protraction was done with bodily mesial movement of the molars and no lingual tipping of the incisors.