Ratings of profile attractiveness after functional mandibular advancement

Abstract

Considerations involving orthodontic treatment and facial esthetics have directed the investigation of the optimal treatment, especially in the correction of Class II, division 1 malocclusions, both esthetically and functionally. The aim of this study is to determine whether the use of a Twin force bite corrector in combination with Edgewise mechanics yields a more esthetic facial profile than Edgewise treatment alone. Methods: The present retrospective study compared matched two groups of adolescent patients, (total n=20) The first, treated with functional orthopedic therapy using a TFBC in combination with preangulated Edgewise appliances, (n=10). The second, matched group (n=10) was treated using standard Edgewise mechanics alone. A panel of ten orthodontic graduate evaluators investigated silhouettes of lateral photographs of perceived post treatment facial esthetics of Egyptian adolescents with Class II, division 1 malocclusions treated by one of the two methods. They scored each silhouette's attractiveness on a 100% visual analogue scale (modified VAS). Independent samples t test at 0.05 level of significance was used to compare the VAS scores. Results: the evaluators showed wide range of agreement among the two treated groups in selecting the most attractive profiles. The evaluation of pre/post treatment for each group and randomized post treatment of both goups for facial attractiveness showed insignificant difference statisticaly. Conclusion: TFBC treatment in combination with Edgewise mechanics has measurable benefits.