The B-Mesialslider for non-compliance space closure in cases with missing upper laterals

In cases with missing maxillary lateral incisors, the two major treatment approaches are space closure and space opening. In many cases, space closure to the mesial seems to be the favourable treatment goal, since treatment already can be completed as soon as the dentition is complete. However, the demands for anchorage are quite high. Both reverse headgear or class III elastics require a high level of compliance and may cause some unwanted side effects such as TMJ problems or retrusion of lower teeth in cases of class III elastics. With the goal to achieve a more reliable anchorage, the use of mini-implants in the palate in combination with a sliding mechanics was introduced (Mesialslider). By adding bonded tubes (B-Mesialslider) premolars can be mesialized bodily without the need of brackets. As a consequence, the time in fixed braces can be significantly reduced or even eliminated.