Changes in Tooth Position and Vertical Dimension in Severe Class II Division 1 Cases during Begg Treatment

Abstract

This study was based on a cephalometric analysis of 45 children composed of two groups: a treated group with an Angle Class II division 1 occlusion and an untreated control group. The object of this study was to investigate changes in the dentofacial complex as a result of Begg therapy in the group of children having an Angle Class II division 1 occlusion compared with the untreated control group. Each child of the treated group had lateral skull radiographs taken during the experimental period: one before commencement of treatment, the second at the end of the first stage of treatment; that is as soon as the incisors reached an edge-to-edge relationship; and the third at the end of treatment 12 months after appliances were removed. Two lateral skull radiographs were taken of the children who formed the control group, one at the beginning, and the other at the end, of the experimental period. It was found that short term changes in the dento-facial complex during Begg treatment were associated with a significant increase in the height of the lower molars, a significant reduction in the height of the lower incisors and a significant reduction in apical base difference. The long term changes in the dentofacial complex as a result of Begg treatment were associated with a significant increase in the height of the lower molars, a significant reduction in apical base difference and some increase in lower facial height.