Comparison of the effects of total arch intrusion treatment in adolescents and adults: A pilot study

Abstract

Introduction: This study aimed to examine the effectiveness of total arch intrusion (TAI) treatment in patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion with retruded mandible and compare the treatment changes between adolescents and adults.

Methods: We retrospectively analyzed cephalometric radiographs of 30 patients who underwent TAI using miniscrews. Growing adolescent patients were classified as group 1 (G1), whereas nongrowing patients were classified as group 2 (G2). There were 16 patients in G1 and 14 in G2, and the average ages at the start of treatment were 13.2 years and 27.8 years, respectively. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalometric measurements and changes were compared, and the correlation among these measurements was analyzed.

Results: Significant decreases were observed in mandibular plane angle (P <0.001); however, no significant difference was observed between the 2 groups. There was a significantly greater increase in SNB (P <0.05) and facial height ratio (P <0.01) and a decrease in ANB (P <0.01) in G1. The pogonion to nasion perpendicular line increased more in G1 (5.11 mm) than in G2 (3.88 mm), but this difference was not statistical significant. In correlation analysis, the mandibular plane rotation had a strong correlation with changes in Pog to N perp in G1, but there was a weak correlation in G2.

Conclusions: TAI was an effective treatment option to improve the retrognathic profile. The adolescent group showed significantly greater anteroposterior skeletal improvement and profile changes than the adult group with TAI.