Comparison of extraction versus non-extraction orthodontic treatment outcomes for borderline cases in the Indian population

Abstract

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to assess orthodontic treatment outcomes in Indian patients with borderline problems treated with and without extractions. Methods: Records of 25 borderline patients treated at the Orthodontic & Dentofacial Orthopaedics Department M.A. Rangoonwala Dental College, Pune were evaluated retrospectively by 5 associate professors. Each judge evaluated the post-treatment records independently for tooth alignment, overbite, overjet, midline symmetry, lateral occlusion, and facial profile, and rated them on a scale from 1 to 5. Results: The only statistically significant difference between the extraction and non-extraction groups was for facial profile, with the judges preferring the extraction profiles. When profile changes from pretreatment to post-treatment were examined, significant differences in treatment-associated changes between extraction and non-extraction groups were all related to the lower lip and chin. Conclusions: In this sample of Indian borderline orthodontic patients, these clinicians had a statistically significant preference for the facial profiles of the extraction patients, but no statistically significant preferences for tooth alignment, overbite, overjet, midline symmetry, or posterior occlusion. Keyword: Borderline patients, Extraction, Non-extraction, Facial profiles