Affiliation:
1. Graduate Orthodontic Program, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine The University of Florence Florence Italy
2. Graduate Orthodontic Program Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais Belo Horizonte Brazil
3. Department of Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, UniCamillus International Medical University Rome Italy
4. Department of Orthodontics and Pediatric Dentistry, School of Dentistry and Center for Human Growth and Development The University of Michigan Ann Arbor Michigan USA
Abstract
AbstractObjectiveTo assess the short‐ and long‐term dentoskeletal effects of early Class III treatment with rapid maxillary expansion and facemask (RME/FM) followed by fixed appliances.Materials and MethodsA total of 44 patients (27 females, 17 males) treated consecutively with RME/FM were included from the archives of 3 centres. Three lateral cephalograms were available: T0 (before the start of RME/FM therapy, mean age 8.1 ± 1.8 years), T1 (immediately after RME/FM, mean age 9.8 ± 1.6 years), and T2 (long‐term observation, mean age 19.5 ± 1.6 years). A control group of 17 untreated Class III subjects (12 females and 5 males) also was selected. Between‐group statistical comparisons were performed with ANCOVA.ResultsNo statistically significant differences for any of the cephalometric variables were found at T0. In the short term, the treated group showed significant improvements in ANB (+2.9°), Wits appraisal (+2.7 mm), SNA (+1.8°) and SNB (−1.1°). A significant closure of CoGoMe angle (−1.3°) associated with smaller increments along Co‐Gn (−2.4 mm) also was found together with a significant increase in intermaxillary divergence (+1.3°). In the long‐term, significant improvements in ANB (+2.6°), Wits appraisal (+2.7 mm) and SNB (−1.7°) were recorded together with a significant closure of the CoGoMe angle (−2.9°). No significant long‐term changes in vertical skeletal relationships were found.ConclusionsRME/FM therapy was effective in improving Class III dentoskeletal relationships in the short term. These changes remained stable in the long‐term due mainly to favourable mandibular changes.
Subject
Otorhinolaryngology,Oral Surgery,Surgery,Orthodontics