Evaluation of skeletally anchored therapy using miniplates and micro-implants in skeletal Class III treatment
Published Online: Jul 20, 2021
Page range: 158 - 166
Received: Nov 01, 2018
Accepted: Jul 01, 2019
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21307/aoj-2020-045
© 2019 Elçin Esenlik et al., published by Sciendo
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Background/aim
To compare the outcomes of skeletally-anchored (SA) or face mask (FM) therapy in the management of patients presenting with maxillary retrognathia.
Methods
Forty-four consecutively treated maxillary retrognathic patients who underwent SA or FM therapies followed by fixed orthodontics were evaluated. Two micro-implants between the maxillary first molar and the second premolar and two mandibular miniplates were inserted to facilitate the use of Class III elastics in the SA group (23 patients). Facemasks with full occlusal-coverage acrylic appliances were applied in the FM group (21 patients). Lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained before treatment (T0), after orthopaedic treatment (T1), and after fixed orthodontic treatment (T2) were traced and 31 measurements compared.
Results
No statistically significant differences were found between the groups related to treatment duration and gender distribution. The mean age was significantly higher in the SA group (11.70±0.25 years) compared with the FM group (10.57±0.35 years) at T0. The mean ANB angle increased by 3.34° and 3.15° and the mean Wits value reduced by 6.16 mm and 4.13 mm in the FM and SA groups, respectively. Forward movement of the maxilla was similar between the groups. The vertical plane angle increased in both groups following maxillary protraction. However, it decreased in the SA group during fixed orthodontic therapy, which was contrary to what occurred in the FM group. The lower incisors were retracted/retroclined in the FM group and protracted/proclined in the SA group.
Conclusions/implications
Maxillary protraction was achieved in both groups and was maintained during fixed orthodontic therapy. Undesired lower incisor retraction and an increase of the vertical plane angle encountered with FM therapy were minimised by SA therapy.