Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40299186›Full record

SynthesisClinical oral investigations2025

Long-term stability of maxillary molar distalization in the treatment of Angle Class II malocclusion: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Zhuojun Xie, Hao Xu, Ye Tian, Xianglong Han

Abstract readSystematic ReviewMeta-Analysis
PubMed Publisher
In one paragraph

Synthesis in Clinical oral investigations, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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0citing papers in PubMed
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1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

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The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors.

Zhuojun XieState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0002-3013-1592
Hao XuState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China.
Ye TianState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. tianye@scu.edu.cn.
Xianglong HanState Key Laboratory of Oral Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Oral Diseases, West China Hospital of Stomatology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, 610041, China. xhan@scu.edu.cn.ORCID http://orcid.org/0000-0001-7650-8204

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

objectivesThis study aimed to evaluate the long-term skeletal and dental stability following maxillary molar distalization for Angle Class II malocclusion and to explore potential relapse-related factors.

methodsA systematic search of twelve electronic databases and six manual sources was conducted. After data extraction and risk of bias assessment, meta-analyses using random-effects models were performed. Heterogeneity was explored through subgroup analyses and sensitivity analyses. The certainty of evidence was rated using the GRADE approach.

results9 non-randomized clinical trials involving 223 Class II malocclusion patients were included. Meta-analyses of 5 skeletal and 9 dental treatment effects were conducted. While skeletal changes were minimal and not statistically significant, significant mesial relapse of the first molar (1.80 mm, p = 0.002, I

conclusionsOver a mean follow-up of 4.2 years, skeletal changes were minimal, while maxillary molars showed significant mesial relapse. The first molar also exhibited measurable extrusion and mesial inclination, with younger patients showing greater vertical changes. However, these findings were based on low to very low certainty of evidence due to non-randomized study designs and high heterogeneity, warranting cautious interpretation and further validation. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Identifying long-term relapse patterns and patient-related factors after maxillary molar distalization can help orthodontists optimize treatment planning, select appropriate cases, and develop individualized retention strategies to improve long-term stability.

Indexed as

Malocclusion, Angle Class IIMolarTooth Movement TechniquesHumansMaxillaTreatment OutcomeAngle Class II malocclusionLong-term stabilityMolar distalizationPhysiological tooth mesial movement

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.