The effects of face mask and tongue appliance on maxillary deficiency in growing patients: a randomized clinical trial

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this randomized trial study was to compare the effects of facemask and Tongue appliance in treatment of Class III malocclusion with maxillary deficiency in growing patients.

Materials & methods: 45 patients (22 males, 23 females) with maxillary deficiency were selected and randomly assigned to 2 groups. 22 patients (10 boys, 12 girls) with the mean age of 9.3 years±1.2 years were treated with facemask. 23 patients (12 boys, 11 girls) with the mean age of 10.1 years±0.7 years were treated by Tongue appliance. Lateral cephalograms obtained at the beginning and end of the study were analyzed.

Results: Paired t-tests and Wilcoxon test showed that SNA and ANB significantly increased in both groups. Mann-Whitney test showed that there were no statistically significant differences between the two groups except for Jarabak ratio and Upper 1 to SN. U1 to SN increased by 11.1±6.9° in fixed facemask group and 2.5±6.1° in Tongue appliance group (P<0.001). Both treatment modalities were successful in moving the maxilla forward. However, the upper incisors had more labial inclination in the facemask group.