Eur J Orthod. 2021 Mar 19:cjab008. doi: 10.1093/ejo/cjab008. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE: The objective of this study was to analyse the soft tissue changes produced by the functional treatment of mandibular advancement in growing Class II patients.
MATERIALS: The treated group consisted of 25 Caucasian patients (12 females and 13 males) with dento-skeletal Class II malocclusion treated with functional therapy (Activator). All patients were evaluated before treatment (T1; mean age, 9.9 years), at the end of functional treatment phase (T2; mean age, 11.9 years), and at a post-pubertal follow-up observation (T3; mean age, 18.5 years). The treated group was compared with a matched control group of 25 untreated subjects (13 females, 12 males) with untreated Class II division 1 malocclusion. Statistical comparisons between the two groups were performed with independent samples t-tests (P < 0.05).
RESULTS: Significant improvements were found during the long-term interval for mandibular sulcus (9.9°) and the profile facial angle (9.8°) in the treated group. No significant effects were found in terms of lower face percentage between the two groups.
CONCLUSION: Removable functional appliances induced positive effects on the soft tissue profile in Class II growing subjects with good stability in the long-term.
PMID:33740061 | DOI:10.1093/ejo/cjab008
