Clinical Usefulness of the Jones Jig Appliance for Alignment of Premolars and Molars: Case Reports

Abstract

Early loss of the primary maxillary second molar can lead to complications in which mesial drift of the adjacent first molar (M1) can disturb eruption of the succedaneous second premolar (P2). This study reports two cases of space loss for P2 caused by early exfoliation of its predecessor. After the eruption of the first premolar, the Jones jig appliance was used to distalize M1 and regain space for the eruption of P2. The appliance was further utilized to align the palatally erupted P2 into the dental arch. In both cases, the space and corrected position of P2 were well maintained. Early exfoliation of the primary second molar caused by mesial encroachment of M1 is a common phenomenon, and pediatric dentists should attend to this during routine examinations. An appropriate intervention should be initiated when the primary second molar is lost during the mixed dentition period. If used with careful anchorage control, the Jones jig appliance can effectively resolve this problem.