[Efficacy evaluation of fixed Twin-block appliance and tooth extraction in skeletal Class II malocclusion]

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of Twin-Block combined with straight wire appliances and tooth extraction in the treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion with mandibular retrognathia in growing individuals.

Methods: The sample comprised 31 growing individuals with skeletal Class II and mandibular retrognathia, divided into 2 groups. One group (18 patients) was treated with fixed Twin-block combined with fixed appliance; the other group (13 patients) was only treated with fixed appliance after tooth extraction. Lateral cephalograms pretreatment and posttreatment were taken before and after Twin-block treatment and after all fixed appliance treatment. Pancherz's cephalometric measurements were analyzed statistically. Intragroup and intergroup changes of the two groups were evaluated by test using SPSS 15.0 software package.

Results: According to Pancherz's analysis, mandibular length increased, point Pg, mandibular incisors and first molars moved forward, maxillary incisors moved backward, overjet decreased (P<0.05) after treatment with Twin-block and fixed appliance. Within the rectification of anterior overjet, proportion of dentofacial factor was 39.5%, skeletal factor was 60.5%. Within the rectification of posterior relationship, proportion of dentofacial factor was 44.9%, skeletal factor was 55.1%.

Conclusions: Twin-block combined with fixed appliance treatment can efficiently promote mandibular growth, restrict forward growth of maxilla to some extent, correct incisor and molar relationship and improve skeletal profile in growing skeletal Class II individuals with mandibular retrognathia.