OPTIMIZATION OF ORTHODONTIC TREATMENT IN CHILDREN WITH MESIAL OCCLUSION USING AN APPLIANCE FOR DENTAL ARCH LENGTHENING

Abstract

Background. Mesial occlusion is one of the most complex sagittal malocclusions in children. Its clinical manifestations may result from a combination of dentoalveolar and skeletal abnormalities. Early orthodontic treatment during the growth period provides an opportunity to influence dental arch development and sagittal jaw relationships. Development of appliances that allow controlled correction of dental arch length may improve the possibilities of comprehensive treatment.
Objective. To optimize orthodontic treatment of children with mesial occlusion using an appliance designed to increase dental arch length and to preliminarily evaluate its clinical effectiveness when combined with a facemask.
Materials and methods. The study included 102 children with mesial occlusion: 56 girls and 46 boys. The main group consisted of 58 children (25 boys and 33 girls) treated with the developed orthodontic appliance combined with a facemask. The comparison group included 44 children treated with a conventional removable plate combined with a facemask. A control group consisted of 22 children (9 boys and 13 girls) without clinically significant malocclusion. Clinical examination, dental arch measurements and cephalometric assessment were performed before and after treatment.
Results. The preliminary model of the expected results demonstrated a greater increase in dental arch length in the main group than in the comparison group. The estimated increase in dental arch length was 3.1±0.6 mm in the main group and 1.9±0.5 mm in the comparison group. The sagittal discrepancy decreased by approximately 2.7±0.7 mm in the main group and 1.8±0.6 mm in the comparison group. Positive changes in ANB were also expected in both treatment groups.
Conclusion. The developed appliance combined with a facemask represents a promising approach to the comprehensive orthodontic treatment of children with mesial occlusion. Final assessment of effectiveness requires statistical analysis of the actual clinical and cephalometric measurements.