Dentaoalveolar changes in young adult patients with Class II/1 malocclusion treated with the Herbst appliance and an activator

BACKGROUND/AIM: Functional appliances can be used effectively in the treatment of skeletal Class II/1 malocclusions. The best treatment results are obtained during active period of facial growth when skeletal, as well as dentoalveolar, changes occur. In comparison with removable functional appliances, such as activator, that are effective only during adolescent period of growth, the Herbst fixed appliance is also successful at the end of the growth period. It also offers a shorter treatment time and a patient compliance is not necessary. The aim of this study was to analyze and compare dentoalveolar changes in the group of young adult patients with Class II/1 malocclusion treated with the Herbst appliance and an activator. METHODS: The sample for this study consisted of 50 patients of both sexes, 14-21 years of age with Class II/1 malocclusion. For estimating the effect of functional appliances used, the following cephalometrics parameters were determined: inclination of the upper and lower incisors, interincisal angle, antero-posterior molars relationships, overjet and overbite. The results obtained were statistically tested. RESULTS: The cephalometric findings after the treatment indicated retroinclination of upper incisors (average value of 9 degrees) and proclination of lower incisors (average value of 7 degrees), mostly expressed in the patients treated by Herbst appliance (p < 0.001). Increased overjet and distocclusion were completely corrected in the group of patients treated with the Herbst appliance, while the correction of malocclusion in the activator group was only partially accomplished. No changes in the overbite were noticed at the end of the treatment in both groups. CONCLUSION: The results of this study revealed that the Herbst appliance is more effective in the treatment of Class II/1 malocclusion in young adults in comparison with the activator.