Objective: The purpose of this study was to compare the displacement patterns shown by finite element analysis
when the maxillary anterior segment was retracted from different orthodontic miniscrew positions and different
lengths of lever arms in lingual continuous and segmented arch techniques. Methods: A three dimensional model
was produced, the translation of teeth in both models was measured and individual displacement was calculated.
Results: When traction was carried out from miniscrews in the palatal slope, lingual tipping of crowns and extrusion
of the maxillary anterior segment were found in both continuous and segmented arches as the lever arms
were made shorter. With miniscrews in the midpalatal suture area, the displacement patterns were similar to the
palatal slope, but bodily movement of the upper incisors was observed in both continuous and segmented arches
with the lever arm at 20 mm. When lever arms were longer, there was less extrusion of the incisors and more
buccal displacement of the canines. Such displacement was shown less in the continuous arch than the segmented
arch. The second premolar showed crown mesial tipping and intrusion, and the molars showed distal
tipping in the continuous arch. The posterior segment was displaced three dimensionally in the segmented arch,
but the amount of displacement was less than the continuous arch. Conclusions: It is recommended that lever
arms of 20 mm in length be used for bodily movement of the anterior segment. Use of continuous or segmented
arches affect the displacement patterns and induce differences in the amount of displacement