Abstract
Abstract Aim The aim of the study was to evaluate the cephalometric effects of the elastodontic appliance (EA) in the management of patients presenting with a skeletal Class II/1 malocclusion. Methods Twenty Class II patients treated using the EA (Group EA) were compared with 20 Class II untreated children (Group C). Cephalograms were compared at the start (T0) and after 24 months (T1) after which time, skeletal, dental, and aesthetic variables were evaluated. A statistical evaluation was conducted by applying an unpaired t-test for normally distributed variables. Results From T0 to T1, the EA group showed a significant increase in lower facial height (LFH), in mandibular length (Co-Gn), in the upper incisor and cranial plane angle (1 + SN) and in the distance between a true vertical line (TVL)-soft tissue B (B’) and TVL-soft tissue Pogonion (Pog’) points. From T0 to T1, group C showed a significant decrease in SN-occlusal plane (PO) (p < 0.01), of SN-mandibular plane (Go-Me) (p < 0.01) and of total gonial (N-Go-Me) angles (p < 0.05); a significant reduction of the distance between TVL-upper incisor (1+), TVL-lower lip (Li), and TVL-Pog’ was shown. No statistical differences were observed between the groups in dental and aesthetic outcomes, except for a skeletal increase in LFH (p < 0.05) and in Co-Gn length (p < 0.05), which was statistically significant in the EA group. Conclusion In Class II growing patients, the EA induces minor skeletal effects, compared to untreated control patients.
Highlights
A Class II malocclusion is the most common skeletal sagittal relationship found in Caucasian populations.[1]
From T0 to T1 in control group C, no significant changes were observed in the SN-PP angle, of lower facial height (LFH) and in Co-Gn distances
Untreated patients showed a significant reduction of SN-PO (p < 0.01), of SN-GoMe (p < 0.01), and of the N-Go-Me angles (p < 0.05), while the variations of the Ar-Go-N and Ar-Go-Me angles were not significant (p = n.s.) (Table I)
Summary
A Class II malocclusion is the most common skeletal sagittal relationship found in Caucasian populations.[1] various cranio-facial components are involved, skeletal mandibular retrusion is the most frequent characteristic of Class II patients.[2]. Recent studies have indicated that the elastodontic appliance (EA) is effective in Class II treatment,[10,11,12] because of its ability to affect mandibular growth and position, and contribute to the correction of a Class II sagittal discrepancy.[3,10,11,12]. It is considered a combination of a functional appliance and a tooth positioner[14] as it advances the mandible to improve a Class II relationship and, further, acts as a tooth positioner
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