The long-term effect of high pull headgear on the incisor region of the maxilla

Abstract

A longitudinal study of the influence of high pull traction on the upper incisor segment was studied in six consecutive cases aged between 11 and 16 years. Cephalometric measurements on lateral skull radiographs were used to evaluate the effects of treatment and post-treatment stability with regard to the vertical position of the upper incisors, the upper anterior facial height and the inclination of the maxilla in relation to the anterior cranial base. The development of the upper facial height during this investigation is presented in percentile diagrams. The results show that: 1. High pull traction applied to the upper incisor segment, with two exceptions (A.A. and A.E.) was found to have a permanent orthopaedic effect on the upper anterior facial height. 2. High pull traction had very little effect on the inclination of the maxilla relative to the anterior cranial base. 3. Long-term intrusion of the upper incisors was found in all cases.