%0 Journal Article %T Changes in occlusal function after extraction of premolars: 2-year follow-up %A Chooryung Chung %A Kyung-Ho Kim %A Soonshin Hwang %A Wookang Yoon %J - %@ 1945-7103 %D 2017 %R https://doi.org/10.2319/112116-836.1 %X ABSTRACT Objective: To determine the effects of extraction and the number of teeth extracted on changes in occlusal function by measuring occlusal contact area and force before and after orthodontic treatment with a fixed appliance. Materials and Methods: Female patients treated with a fixed appliance were divided into nonextraction (n = 36), two maxillary premolar extraction (n = 31), and four premolar extraction (n = 18) groups. Bite pressure-sensitive films were used to analyze the occlusal contact area and force. Measurements were performed before treatment (Pre-Tx), immediately afterward (After-Tx), and 2 years later (2Y After-Tx). The data were analyzed using a linear mixed model and the post hoc Bonferroni test. Results: The occlusal contact area and force after treatment decreased significantly compared with Pre-Tx values but were increased 2 years later in all groups. There were no significant differences in occlusal contact area or force during the entire observation period among the three groups (P > .05). The occlusal contact area and force in the nonextraction and two maxillary premolar extraction groups recovered to Pre-Tx levels 2 years later (P > .05). The occlusal contact area in the four premolar extraction group was significantly lower than the Pre-Tx level after 2 years of retention (P < .05). Conclusions: The occlusal contact area and force showed a tendency to decrease immediately after treatment and then gradually increase to pretreatment levels during the observation period. However, the occlusal contact area did not recover fully after 2 years in the four premolar extraction group. %K Premolar extraction Long-term retention Occlusal contact area Occlusal force %U http://www.angle.org/doi/abs/10.2319/112116-836.1