Nonextraction orthodontic therapy: posttreatment dental and skeletal stability

To assess the long-term stability of nonextraction orthodontic treatment, the dental cast and cephalometric records of 28 cases were evaluated. Thirty cephalometric and seven cast parameters were examined before treatment, posttreatment, and an average of almost 8 years postretention. Results showed overall long-term stability to be relatively good. Relapse patterns seen were similar in nature, but intermediate in extent, between untreated normals and four first premolar extraction cases. Significant decreases were seen in arch length and intercanine width during the postretention period despite minimal changes during treatment. Incisor irregularly increased slightly postretention; intermolar width, overjet, and overbite displayed considerable long-term stability. Mandibular incisor mesiodistal and faciolingual dimensions were not associated with either pretreatment or posttreatment incisor crowding. Class II malocclusions with large ANB values and shorter mandibular lengths showed increased incisor irregularity, shorter arch lengths, and deeper overbites at the postretention stage, suggesting that the amount and direction of facial growth may have been partially responsible for maturational changes seen during the postretention period.     

Age-Related Long-Term Posttreatment Occlusal and Arch Changes

Objective:To evaluate differences in long-term postretention changes between adolescents and adults.Materials and Methods:The sample included 96 subjects, 51 adolescents and 45 adults (14.2 ± 0.8 and 21.5 ± 6.8 years of age, respectively, at the end of treatment) retained for 3 years and followed approximately 16 years post treatment, who were randomly selected from two private practices. Prior to treatment, 38 and 58 had Class I and Class II malocclusions, respectively.Results:With the exception of adult midlines, all of the occlusal variables (overjet [0.50–0.77 mm], overbite [0.85–0.95 mm], the maxillary incisor irregularity [0.69–0.80 mm], the mandibular incisor irregularity [0.85–1.50 mm] and the PAR score [0.86–1.92 points]) showed significant increases over time. Adolescents consistently showed greater increases of the occlusal variables than adults, with mandibular incisor irregularity and the PAR index attaining statistically significant (P < .05) levels. Arch length and mandibular intercanine width showed statistically significant decreases over time in both groups; maxillary intercanine and intermolar widths did not change significantly. Overjet increased significantly more in Class II patients than in Class I patients, whereas Class I patients showed significantly greater decreases in mandibular intermolar width than Class II patients.Conclusions:Over the 16-year posttreatment period, adolescents showed significantly greater increases in mandibular incisor irregularity, and the PAR index than adults. Treated Class I patients demonstrated less increase in overjet and greater decreases in mandibular intermolar width than Class II patients.     

Evaluation of posttreatment changes in Class II Division 1 patients after nonextraction orthodontic treatment: cephalometric and model analysis.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate changes in patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusions treated with cervical headgear and full fixed orthodontic appliances and without extractions. METHODS: Lateral cephalograms and dental casts of 18 patients were obtained at the beginning and the end of treatment and at the postretention period. Pretreatment records were taken at 11.9 +/- 2.6 years, and the mean treatment time was 2.8 +/- 1.2 years. All patients were asked to use maxillary and mandibular Hawley retainers for 1 year. The average postretention interval was 5.3 years. RESULTS: The assessment of cephalometric findings showed that maxillary growth was restricted; maxillary incisor inclination, overjet, and overbite were decreased; the mandibular incisors were proclined; and a slight mandibular posterior rotation occurred at the end of treatment. At the postretention period, the maxilla remained stable, the mandible moved anteriorly, and the overjet increased slightly (1.25 mm, P < .01). The dental cast changes indicated that both maxillary and mandibular irregularity index values decreased significantly during treatment but increased after 5 years. Mandibular intercanine width decreased 0.47 mm ( P < .01) during the postretention period. CONCLUSIONS: The redirection of maxillary growth remained stable in patients with Class II malocclusions treated with cervical headgear and fixed orthodontic appliances and without extractions, but treatment-induced mandibular rotations tended to return to their original patterns. Various dental changes occurred during the postretention period.     

A long-term study of the relationship of third molars to changes in the mandibular dental arch

The purpose of this study is to determine the relationship of third molars to changes in the mandibular dental arch. The sample for this study consisted of four groups and subgroups. The groups consisted of premolar extraction treated, nonextraction treated with initial generalized spacing, nonextraction treated, and serial extraction untreated subjects. The subgroups were divided into persons who had mandibular third molars that were either impacted, erupted into function, congenitally absent, or extracted at least 10 years before postretention records. The mean postretention time interval was 13 years, with a range of 10 to 28 years. The mean postretention age was 28 years 6 months, with a range of 18 years 6 months to 39 years 4 months. Two-way analysis of variance with repeated measures was used to compare the changes over time (before treatment, at end of active treatment, and after retention) of groups and third molar subgroups. With time, mandibular incisor irregularity increased while arch length and intercanine width decreased. The eruption patterns of mandibular incisors and first molars were similarly dispersed in all groups studied. The findings between the subgroups in which mandibular third molars were impacted, erupted into function, congenitally absent, or extracted 10 years before postretention records revealed no significant differences between any of the subgroups for the parameters studied. No significant differences in mandibular growth were found between the third molar subgroups; this suggests that persons with third molars erupted into satisfactory function do not have a significantly different mandibular growth pattern than those whose third molars are impacted or congenitally missing. In the majority of cases some degree of mandibular incisor crowding took place after retention, but this change was not significantly different between third molar subgroups. This finding suggests that the recommendation for mandibular third molar removal with the objective of alleviating or preventing mandibular incisor irregularity may not be justified.     

Evaluation of posttreatment stability after orthodontic treatment in the mixed and permanent dentitions

Objective:To investigate posttreatment changes in the maxillary and mandibular arches in patients who underwent orthodontic treatment during the mixed and permanent dentitions.Materials and Methods:The sample was collected retrospectively from three private practices and consisted of 42 patients who were at least 10 years out of orthodontic treatment. The longitudinal records of study casts and cephalometric radiographs were analyzed to quantify posttreatment changes.Results:Minimal changes in maxillary and mandibular irregularity occurred after an average of 16.98 years from completion of treatment. More than 10 years posttreatment, approximately 81% of the maxillary anterior teeth and 88% of the mandibular anterior teeth showed clinically acceptable incisor alignment (<3.5 mm). Mandibular fixed retainers greatly aided in maintaining the stability of the mandibular incisor alignment. However, posttreatment changes in maxillary incisor irregularity did not appear to be influenced by the presence of a mandibular fixed retainer. When compared with longitudinal changes observed in untreated subjects, the increase in incisor irregularity resembled a pattern similar to the regression line of untreated subjects and seems to be entirely age related. Arch width and arch depth was consistently decreased after treatment, but the magnitude of change was minimal at about 1 mm. No associations were found between any of the cephalometric measurements and changes in incisor irregularities.Conclusions:Orthodontic treatment stability can be achieved and mandibular fixed retention appears to be a valuable contributor, especially in patients with further growth expected.     

The stability of the arch-expansion effects of Fr?nkel appliance therapy

To assess the long-term stability of the arch expansion effects of the functional regulator, mandibular dental casts were evaluated for treatment and postretention changes in intercanine width, width between first premolars, width between second premolars, intermolar width, incisor irregularity, and arch length. This study was comprised of 11 cases that were treated with the Fr?nkel appliance (mean = 27 mo.) and were and average of 4 years and 4 months out of active treatment. Results showed overall stability to be good, with some variability present in individual responses. Intercanine width, width of first premolars, width of second premolars, and intermolar width all demonstrated maintenance of treatment increases. Correction of incisor irregularity displayed better stability than has been reported in other stability studies. Arch length decreased with treatment and continued to decrease during the postretention period, although to a lesser extent than has been previously reported. The results of this study support the statements of Fr?nkel concerning the stability of this type of arch expansion.     

Posttreatment and postretention changes following orthodontic therapy.

This investigation was performed to determine the changes which occurred in treated orthodontic cases out of retention. The material consisted of 103 cases, of which 74 cases were treated nonextraction and 29 were treated with the extraction of four first premolars. The treatment was accomplished by the full-banded edgewise bioprogressive technique. Five measurements were taken: intercanine, inter-first premolar, intersecond premolar and inter-first molar widths, and incisor to molar distance. The measurements were made on the mandibular arch of the pretreatment, posttreatment, and prostretention casts. The postretention model was obtained a minimum of one year after all retaining devices were removed with an average of 5.2 years. The following conclusions were drawn from the changes in dimensions: 1. The intercanine width was expanded during treatment, but had a strong tendency to return to or close to its original pretreatment width in both nonextraction and extraction cases. 2. The inter-first premolar width showed the greatest treatment increase in width with only a minimal amount of postretention decrease. 3. The second premolar width for nonextraction cases showed a significant amount of increase with a slight tendency for postretention decrease. 4. The second premolar width for extraction cases showed a decrease with treatment and a slight continued decrease postretention. 5. The intermolar width of nonextraction cases showed a significant increase in width with treatment. The extraction cases showed a significant decrease with treatment. However, there were no changes in either extraction or nonextraction cases postretention. 6. The incisor to molar distance decreased with treatment and had a slight tendency to continue to decrease postretention.     

A new method of evaluating posterior occlusion and its relation to posttreatment occlusal changes.

The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between posterior occlusion and posttreatment changes in other occlusal variables. Pretreatment (T1), posttreatment (T2), and postretention (T3) records were obtained for 49 Class I (n = 23) and Class II (n = 26) extraction cases. Overbite, overjet, mandibular incisor irregularity, right and left molar deviations, midline deviation, and mandibular arch length were measured, and occlusal registrations were made of each set of dental casts. The proximity of posterior occlusal surfaces was measured as the contact or near-contact areas at or below 300 microm thickness, based on the optical densities of scanned images of the posterior occlusal registrations. The treatment changes for overbite, overjet, right and left molar deviation, and arch length were significantly greater in the Class II group, and the reductions in incisor irregularity were greater in the Class I group. No other class differences were found. Overbite, overjet, and incisor irregularity increased after treatment, and arch length continued to decrease, with no significant class differences. Contact and near-contact areas at or below 300 microm constituted 7% of the functional occlusal table for both classes at the end of treatment, having decreased significantly in both groups (21% in Class I and 29% in Class II) during treatment. Because contact and near-contact areas increased in some patients and decreased in others, there were no significant posttreatment changes. Negative correlations were found between contact and near-contact areas at T2 and changes in overjet from T2 to T3, and between contact and near-contact areas at T3 and changes in overbite from T2 to T3. No relationships were found between posterior contact and near-contact area and incisor irregularity. We concluded that (1) the area of actual and near contacts at or below 300 microm decreased significantly with treatment, indicating that, despite excellent treatment results by conventional standards, the proximity of posterior occlusal surfaces lessened; (2) the proximity of the posterior occlusal surfaces should not be expected to increase posttreatment; (3) posttreatment contact and near-contact areas may be factors in overbite and overjet stability; and (4) posttreatment contact and near-contact areas are not related to incisor irregularity.     

Relapse in Angle Class II Division 1 Malocclusion treated by tandem mechanics without extraction of permanent teeth: A retrospective analysis.

Ideal orthodontic treatment should achieve long-term stability of the occlusion. The mandibular incisor segment has been described as the segment that is most likely to exhibit relapse after treatment and retention. Therefore, relapse of this is a challenge that clinicians need to address. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the amount of relapse that may occur in Angle Class II Division 1 patients, treated orthodontically with tandem mechanics. All cases in this study were treated without extraction of permanent teeth, and the patients were followed for at least 2 years after the end of the retention phase of treatment. Six predictors were investigated at pretreatment, posttreatment, and postretention periods. A synopsis of this study shows the correction of lower incisor crowding as measured by the irregularity index was stable over 5.2 years of postretention follow-up; but longer follow-up time revealed increased relapse of incisor irregularity. Intermolar width increased during treatment and remained stable in the follow-up period. Overjet and overbite corrections and changes in the lower incisor to mandibular plane angle were also stable in the follow-up period. In addition, the amounts of overjet correction and loss of expansion of intercanine distance after treatment were associated with increased irregularity index in the follow-up period. It appears the discrepancies between this and previously published works are sufficiently dramatic that the whole question of treatment philosophy and long-term stability may need to be reevaluated.     

Stability and relapse of mandibular anterior alignment: a cephalometric appraisal of first-premolar-extraction cases treated by traditional edgewise orthodontics

Assessment at least 10 years postretention of fifty-four cases previously treated in the permanent-dentition stage with first-premolar extractions, traditional edgewise mechanotherapy, and retention revealed considerable variation among patients. The long-term response to mandibular anterior alignment was unpredictable; no cephalometric parameters, such as maxillary and mandibular incisor proclination, horizontal and vertical growth amounts, mandibular plane angle, etc., were useful in establishing a prognosis. Few associations of value were found between cephalometric parameters and dental-cast measurements, such as overbite, arch length, intercanine width, and overjet. Only a slight tendency was found for incisor inclination to return toward the pretreatment value during the postretention period. It was possible to predict, on the basis of an analysis of pre- and posttreatment cephalometric records, those cases which had greater than 4 mm deepening of overbite postretention as well as those cases which had decreases of 3 mm or more in arch-length postretention. The practical use of these predictions were of limited clinical value, however.     

Long-term stability of combined rapid palatal expansion-lip bumper therapy followed by full fixed appliances.

INTRODUCTION: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the long-term postretention stability of rapid palatal expansion-lip bumper therapy followed by full fixed appliances. METHODS: The sample included 20 treated patients (11 women and 9 men) who were recalled to obtain postretention records. The subjects were out of retention for a minimum of 4 years and an average of 7.9 years. They had begun treatment in the late mixed dentition at a mean age of 11.1 with considerable incisor crowding but, on average, no tooth size-arch length discrepancies. Pretreatment, posttreatment (mean age, 13.6 years), and postretention (mean age, 24.3 years) models were digitized, and the computed measurements were compared with untreated reference data. RESULTS: The majority of treatment increases in maxillary and mandibular arch dimensions were statistically significant (P < .05) and greater than expected for untreated controls. Although many measurements decreased postretention, net gains were maintained for 21 of the 30 measurements evaluated. The notable exception was arch perimeter, which decreased to less than pretreatment values. Postretention incisor irregularity increased 0.5 +/- 1.2 mm in the maxillary arch and 1.1 +/- 1.5 mm in the mandibular arch. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the good long-term stability observed in this study, we concluded that use of rapid palatal expansion-lip bumper expansion therapy in the late mixed dentition followed by full fixed appliances is an effective form of treatment for patients with up to moderate tooth size-arch length discrepancies.     

A retrospective study of Angle Class I malocclusions treated orthodontically without extractions using two palatal expansion methods.

The correction and relapse of mandibular anterior crowding was evaluated in a population of 58 patients with Angle Class I malocclusion who were treated orthodontically without extraction of permanent teeth. The subjects were retrospectively evaluated from records taken before treatment, posttreatment, and postretention. The postretention period averaged 8 years (minimum of 4 and maximum of 20 years). All cases in Groups A and B were given orthopedic treatment to develop the maxillary apical base in the transverse and anteroposterior planes. Group A was treated with expansion of the inner bow of the face bow appliance (Kloehn), and Group B was treated with the Haas palatal expansion appliance. Both groups were then treated orthodontically with tandem mechanics. The response variables measured were: overbite, overjet, intercanine distance, intermolar distance, and irregularity index. Study groups A and B were not significantly different for subject age, retention, or postretention time. Moreover, the groups did not show significant difference for any of the response variables before treatment. However, there was a statistically significant difference in the treatment times (P =.0133). A statistically significant treatment effect was observed for most response variables in the groups. Overbite, overjet, and irregularity index were significantly reduced, intermolar distance was significantly increased, and intercanine distance showed no significant change in Groups A and B. In the postretention period, there was a tendency for variables to change slightly toward their before treatment values but no compromise of orthodontic correction was noted. The irregularity index in Group A was corrected from 4.8 to 1.1 mm and remained at 1.1 mm in the postretention period. The irregularity index in Group B was corrected from 5.1 to 1.2 mm (P =.0001) and changed slightly from 1. 2 to 1.7 mm (P =.0540) in the postretention period. We concluded that mandibular incisors tended to become more crowded postretention. However, in contrast to previous reports, we calculate this relapse to be small. Neither before treatment nor posttreatment variables were predictive of relapse.     

Postretention relapse of mandibular anterior crowding in patients treated without mandibular premolar extraction.

Treatment stability is one of the most important objectives in orthodontics, but, despite decades of research, it is still agreed that the stability of aligned teeth is variable and largely unpredictable. This study aimed to evaluate the relapse of mandibular anterior crowding in patients treated without mandibular premolar extraction. The sample comprised 40 patients of both sexes with Class I or II malocclusions who received nonextraction treatment in the mandibular arch with edgewise mechanics. Lateral cephalograms and dental casts of each patient were obtained at pretreament, posttreatment, and 5 years postretention. Relapse of mandibular anterior crowding was assessed, and associations between this relapse and other clinical factors were also investigated. Mandibular anterior crowding was measured by the Little irregularity index, and the data were evaluated by the Mann-Whitney test. The mean relapse of mandibular anterior crowding was 1.95 mm (26.54%) over the long term. No clinical factor studied was predictive of crowding relapse in the long term.     

Effects of mandibular incisor extraction on anterior occlusion in adults with Class III malocclusion and reduced overbite

The aim of this study was to assess the treatment outcome and changes in mandibular incisor position after extraction of one single incisor in 36 adult orthodontic cases with combined Class III and open bite tendencies. The cases consisted of 21 female and 15 male patients with an average age of 27.8 years (standard deviation [SD], 11.1 years) at the start. Fixed 0.018-inch Edgewise appliances were used in both arches in 19 patients and in the mandibular arch in 17 patients. Average treatment time was 18 months (SD, 7.1 months). Pretreatment ANB was 0.5^o (SD, 2.7°), overjet 1.4 mm (SD, 1.9 mm), and overbite 1.5 mm (SD, 1.1 mm). The lower incisors were 3.6 mm (SD, 2.8 mm) in front of the APg-line, and the Averaged Irregularity Index was 1.1 mm (SD, 0.6 mm). Records representing pretreatment (T1), posttreatment (T2), and average 4.3 years (SD, 2.3 years) retention (T3) included cephalograms, panoramic films, intraoral and extraoral photographs, and plaster models. All cast measurements were made with digital calipers. On the cephalograms, the lower incisor tips moved posteriorly 1.7 mm (SD, 2.0 mm) and occlusally 1.5 mm (SD, 1.8 mm) from pretreatment to posttreatment. Relative to the x-axis, they tipped lingually 5.9^o (SD, 5.6°). On the cast analysis, overjet increased 1.0 mm (SD, 1.9 mm) and 1.5 mm (SD, 1.5 mm) for the maxillary central and lateral incisors, respectively, whereas overbite increased 0.6 mm for both the central and lateral incisors. The intercanine width was reduced by 3.3 mm (SD, 2.0 mm), while the intermolar width was unchanged. The Average Irregularity Index was reduced from 1.1 to 0.2 mm. Arch-length was reduced 3.6 mm from pretreatment to posttreatment, and another 0.3 mm from posttreatment to 4.3-years retention. Other changes from posttreatment to 4.3-years retention were slight. No loss of the interdental gingival papillae was normally observed. It is concluded that the extraction of one mandibular incisor can lead to satisfactory treatment results in adults with mild Class III malocclusion and reduced overbite, particularly when coupled with a large mandibular intercanine width and minor crowding, and some mandibular tooth size excess. However, the orthodontic treatment frequently became more complicated and time-consuming than expected at the start. (Am J Orthod Dentofacial Orthop 1999;115:113-24)     

Twenty-year follow-up of functional treatment with a bionator appliance: A retrospective dental cast analysis

Objective:To investigate changes in dental arch configuration, relationship, and malocclusion directly after Class II malocclusion treatment with a Balters bionator modified by Ascher as well as 20 years after treatment.Materials and Methods:Orthodontic dental cast analysis of 18 patients with skeletal Class II treated with a bionator without any additional fixed therapy was performed with a digital caliper at three stages: before (T0), after (T1) and 20 years after (T2) treatment. Arch perimeter and depth, intermolar and intercanine distance, overjet, overbite, sagittal molar and canine relationship, mandibular incisor irregularity (Little''s index), and malocclusion (PAR index) were assessed.Results:During treatment (T0–T1), upper arch perimeter significantly increased with a significant decrease in the upper and lower arch perimeter long-term (T1–T2), whereas corresponding arch depths changed only slightly in both periods. Transverse intermolar width increased significantly during treatment, remaining almost constant from T1 to T2. Lower intercanine distance remained fairly unchanged during treatment, but decreased significantly during follow-up. Lower incisor irregularity improved slightly during treatment but increased significantly long-term. After treatment, sagittal molar relationships on both sides were improved, overjet and overbite reduced; these significant changes remained stable long-term. The peer assessment rating (PAR) index was significantly lower after treatment and increased insignificantly during follow-up.Conclusions:20 years after bionator treatment without additional fixed appliances, the improved sagittal relationship and the reduced overjet and PAR index remained fairly stable. Long-term changes are most likely due to physiological aging processes and are not associated with bionator treatment.     

Stability of transverse expansion in the mandibular arch.

This was a retrospective, longitudinal cephalometric and cast study of 29 white patients at pretreatment, posttreatment, and an average of 6 years 3 months postretention. The goal was to assess changes with treatment and retention with the expanding mandibular lingual arch appliance in conjunction with fixed edgewise treatment. Seven mandibular cast measurements were assessed, including arch crowding, arch perimeter, arch length, and arch width at the permanent canines, first premolars, second premolars, and first molars. Cephalometric radiographs were digitized, and 16 cephalometric measurements were made. Repeated-measures analysis of variance and 2-sample t tests were used to determine statistically significant changes. It was found that the expanding lingual arch used for less than 6 months with the mandibular fixed edgewise appliance caused an increase in both the transverse and sagittal dimensions of the mandibular dental arch. Transverse expansion was more stable in the posterior region of the mandibular dental arch than in the anterior region. Mandibular intercanine width increase could be maintained only by fixed retention. Although the maxillary and mandibular incisors were advanced and proclined, lip protrusion did not occur.     

Arch width changes in extraction and nonextraction treatment in class I patients

The aim of this retrospective study was to examine the dental arch width changes of extraction and nonextraction treatment in Class I patients. The study was performed on pretreatment and posttreatment dental casts of 60 patients (30 extraction and 30 nonextraction). The mean ages were 14.3 +/- 2.02 years for the extraction group and 14.1 +/- 2.9 years for the nonextraction group. The maxillary and mandibular crowding was -6.7 +/- 3.1 and -6.3 +/- 2.8 mm for the extraction group and -4.5 +/- 3.6 and -2.1 +/- 3.5 mm for the nonextraction group, respectively. The intercanine and intermolar arch width measurements were measured using a digital caliper. Paired samples t-test was used to evaluate the treatment changes within each group. To compare the changes between groups, independent samples t-test was performed. At the start of treatment, the maxillary and the mandibular intercanine and intermolar widths of both groups did not differ statistically. At the end of treatment, maxillary and mandibular intercanine widths of both groups increased significantly. The mandibular intermolar width decreased significantly for the extraction group and the maxillary intermolar width increased significantly for the nonextraction group. The decrease in maxillary intermolar width for the extraction group and the increase in mandibular intermolar width for the nonextraction group were not significantly different. No differences were observed between the groups in maxillary and mandibular intercanine widths. Maxillary and mandibular intermolar width indicated a significantly larger value in the nonextraction group than that in the extraction group.     

A long-term evaluation of treated Class II division 2 malocclusions: a retrospective study model analysis.

Pre-treatment, end of treatment, and post-retention study models of 30 subjects with a Class II division 2 malocclusion were assessed, after a period of at least 3 years, in order to evaluate the long-term changes in occlusion, alignment, and arch dimensions. Molar relationship correction was found to be stable after retention. There were no variables which could be used to establish a prognosis of vertical stability. Over-correction of overbite was seen to relapse. Ten per cent of the cases showed unacceptable anterior maxillary irregularities after retention. Mandibular arch width and length usually showed a decrease after retention. An increase in lower intercanine width and arch length achieved by orthodontic treatment always relapsed. This relapse was associated with post-retention mandibular irregularity and crowding. Nine cases (30 per cent) showed an unacceptable degree of mandibular irregularity after retention. Pre-treatment crowding in the mandible showed a relationship with post-retention lower irregularity and crowding. There was a correlation between the number of years which had elapsed after retention, overbite relapse and post-retention mandibular irregularity.     

A cephalometric, tomographic, and dental cast evaluation of Fr?nkel therapy

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the skeletal, dental, and condylar positional changes induced by Fr?nkel FR-2 therapy. The pre- and posttreatment cephalometric, tomographic, and dental cast records of 25 consecutively treated cases were evaluated. Results showed little Class II skeletal correction with no headgear-type restraining effect on the maxilla or mandibular growth stimulation noted. Significant amounts of maxillary incisor retraction and mandibular incisor proclination were observed. The maxillary intermolar width along with the mandibular intercanine and intermolar widths were significantly increased during treatment. No significant changes in condylar position were found during Fr?nkel therapy and only a small increase in mandibular plane angle was noted.     

Long-term stability of lip bumper therapy followed by fixed appliances

Lip bumper treatment has been shown to successfully increase arch width, procline the incisors, and distalize molars. However, few studies have been performed showing the long-term stability of lip bumper treatment. In this study, mandibular casts taken by a single practitioner from 51 patients treated with lip bumpers without rapid palatal expansion were analyzed at pretreatment, post-lip bumper treatment, posttreatment, and long-term out of treatment. Measurements of arch width, arch depth, arch length, and anterior crowding were made. During treatment, there was a mean decrease in irregularity of 3.73 mm, with a posttreatment increase of 0.76 mm, for a net decrease of 2.97 mm. Despite posttreatment decreases, significant gains in arch width were maintained for extended periods of time. The intercanine width had a net increase of 1.78 mm (19% relapse), first premolars 3.39 mm (26% relapse), second premolars 2.58 mm (34% relapse), and first molars 2.17 mm (20% relapse). Lip bumper treatment along with fixed appliances is an effective means to obtain long-term increases in arch width and decreases in the irregularity index.