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<article xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" article-type="review-article" dtd-version="1.2" xml:lang="en"><front><journal-meta><journal-id journal-id-type="publisher-id">Russian Journal of Dentistry</journal-id><journal-title-group><journal-title xml:lang="en">Russian Journal of Dentistry</journal-title><trans-title-group xml:lang="ru"><trans-title>Российский стоматологический журнал</trans-title></trans-title-group></journal-title-group><issn publication-format="print">1728-2802</issn><issn publication-format="electronic">2413-2934</issn><publisher><publisher-name xml:lang="en">Eco-Vector</publisher-name></publisher></journal-meta><article-meta><article-id pub-id-type="publisher-id">704736</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="doi">10.17816/dent704736</article-id><article-id pub-id-type="edn">SGJKCF</article-id><article-categories><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading" xml:lang="en"><subject>Reviews</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="toc-heading" xml:lang="ru"><subject>Обзоры</subject></subj-group><subj-group subj-group-type="article-type"><subject>Review Article</subject></subj-group></article-categories><title-group><article-title xml:lang="en">Evaluation of the mandibular retromolar space in orthodontic patients: a review</article-title><trans-title-group xml:lang="ru"><trans-title>Оценка ретромолярного пространства нижней челюсти у ортодонтических пациентов: обзор</trans-title></trans-title-group></title-group><contrib-group><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9410-9643</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">9825-5783</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Sayfieva</surname><given-names>Kamola Zh.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Сайфиева</surname><given-names>Камола Жамшидовна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD</p></bio><email>kamolala22@gmail.com</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5612-3451</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">1246-5965</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Drobysheva</surname><given-names>Nailya S.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Дробышева</surname><given-names>Наиля Сабитовна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD, Cand. Sci. (Medicine), Associate Professor</p></bio><bio xml:lang="ru"><p>канд. мед. наук, доцент</p></bio><email>n.drobysheva@yandex.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0007-3379-9671</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Titova</surname><given-names>Kristina G.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Титова</surname><given-names>Кристина Германовна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD</p></bio><email>titovak537@gmail.com</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib><contrib contrib-type="author"><contrib-id contrib-id-type="orcid">https://orcid.org/0009-0008-2378-692X</contrib-id><contrib-id contrib-id-type="spin">2686-1962</contrib-id><name-alternatives><name xml:lang="en"><surname>Artiukh</surname><given-names>Polina G.</given-names></name><name xml:lang="ru"><surname>Артюх</surname><given-names>Полина Геннадьевна</given-names></name></name-alternatives><address><country country="RU">Russian Federation</country></address><bio xml:lang="en"><p>MD</p></bio><email>polinaartyukh17@yandex.ru</email><xref ref-type="aff" rid="aff1"/></contrib></contrib-group><aff-alternatives id="aff1"><aff><institution xml:lang="en">Russian University of Medicine</institution></aff><aff><institution xml:lang="ru">Российский университет медицины</institution></aff></aff-alternatives><pub-date date-type="preprint" iso-8601-date="2026-04-09" publication-format="electronic"><day>09</day><month>04</month><year>2026</year></pub-date><pub-date date-type="pub" iso-8601-date="2026-06-11" publication-format="electronic"><day>11</day><month>06</month><year>2026</year></pub-date><volume>30</volume><issue>2</issue><issue-title xml:lang="en"/><issue-title xml:lang="ru"/><fpage>176</fpage><lpage>181</lpage><history><date date-type="received" iso-8601-date="2026-03-20"><day>20</day><month>03</month><year>2026</year></date><date date-type="accepted" iso-8601-date="2026-04-06"><day>06</day><month>04</month><year>2026</year></date></history><permissions><copyright-statement xml:lang="en">Copyright ©; 2026, Eco-Vector</copyright-statement><copyright-statement xml:lang="ru">Copyright ©; 2026, Эко-Вектор</copyright-statement><copyright-year>2026</copyright-year><copyright-holder xml:lang="en">Eco-Vector</copyright-holder><copyright-holder xml:lang="ru">Эко-Вектор</copyright-holder><ali:free_to_read xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/" start_date="2029-06-11"/><license><ali:license_ref xmlns:ali="http://www.niso.org/schemas/ali/1.0/">https://eco-vector.com/for_authors.php#07</ali:license_ref></license></permissions><self-uri xlink:href="https://rjdentistry.com/1728-2802/article/view/704736">https://rjdentistry.com/1728-2802/article/view/704736</self-uri><abstract xml:lang="en"><p>The retromolar space is an anatomical zone located distal to the last molar and bounded by the anterior border of the ramus of the mandible. This review presents a comprehensive analysis of current scientific data concerning the morphometry and clinical significance of the mandibular retromolar space in orthodontic practice, including issues of its anatomical variability. Anatomical variations, diagnostic methods using cone-beam computed tomography, assessment criteria, factors influencing the volume of the retromolar space, as well as modern approaches to its quantitative measurement are discussed in detail. Particular attention is paid to the role of accurate preliminary analysis of this anatomical zone in the planning and prediction of mandibular molar distalization using various orthodontic techniques, including orthodontic mini-implants, skeletal anchorage, and fixed appliances, which helps to minimize the risk of complications.</p> <p>Based on the analysis and systematization of published data, we have shown that the mandibular retromolar space should be regarded not as a passive anatomical reserve but as an active biomechanical limit that determines the feasibility, extent, and strategy of molar distalization. The introduction of a standardized protocol for assessing the retromolar space into clinical practice improves the predictability, effectiveness, and safety of molar distalization, expanding the possibilities of non-extraction orthodontic treatment and improving long-term outcomes.</p></abstract><trans-abstract xml:lang="ru"><p>Ретромолярное пространство — анатомическая зона, расположенная дистальнее последнего моляра и ограниченная передним краем ветви нижней челюсти. В данном литературном обзоре представлен всесторонний анализ современных научных данных, касающихся морфометрии и клинической значимости ретромолярного пространства нижней челюсти в ортодонтической практике, включая вопросы его анатомической изменчивости. Подробно рассмотрены анатомические вариации, методы диагностики с использованием конусно-лучевой компьютерной томографии, критерии оценки и факторы, влияющие на объём ретромолярного пространства, а также современные подходы к его количественному измерению. Особое внимание уделено роли точного предварительного анализа данной анатомической зоны в планировании и прогнозировании дистализации моляров нижней челюсти с применением различных ортодонтических техник, включая использование ортодонтических мини-имплантатов, скелетной опоры и несъёмной аппаратуры, что позволяет минимизировать риски осложнений.</p> <p>На основе анализа и систематизации данных литературы показано, что ретромолярное пространство нижней челюсти следует рассматривать не как пассивный анатомический резерв, а как активный биомеханический лимит, определяющий возможность, объём и тактику дистализации моляров. Внедрение стандартизированного протокола оценки ретромолярного пространства в клиническую практику способствует повышению предсказуемости, эффективности и безопасности дистализации моляров, расширяя возможности безэкстракционного ортодонтического лечения и улучшая долгосрочные результаты.</p></trans-abstract><kwd-group xml:lang="en"><kwd>retromolar space</kwd><kwd>mandible</kwd><kwd>orthodontic diagnosis</kwd><kwd>molar distalization</kwd><kwd>cone-beam computed tomography</kwd><kwd>skeletal anchorage</kwd></kwd-group><kwd-group xml:lang="ru"><kwd>ретромолярное пространство</kwd><kwd>нижняя челюсть</kwd><kwd>ортодонтическая диагностика</kwd><kwd>дистализация моляров</kwd><kwd>конусно-лучевая компьютерная томография</kwd><kwd>скелетная опора</kwd></kwd-group><funding-group/></article-meta></front><body></body><back><ref-list><ref id="B1"><label>1.</label><mixed-citation>Proffit WR, Fields H, Larson B, Sarver DM. Contemporary Orthodontics. 6th ed. Elsevier; 2018. 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