[The effectiveness of asymmetric extraction in treatment of Class II division 1 malocclusions].

PURPOSE: To analyze hard and soft tissue profile changes before and after asymmetric extraction treatment of Angle Class II division 1 malocclusion. METHODS: Thirty patients of Angle Class II division 1 malocclusions (11 males, 19 females, average age 13.6 years) were divided into two groups according to their extraction approach. In asymmetric extraction group, 2 first maxillary premolars and 1 first mandibular premolar were extracted. In the control group, all 4 first premolars were extracted. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken before and after treatment to compare hard and soft-tissue changes between the two groups, and the cephalometric measurements were analysed by SAS6.12 software package for independent sample t test. RESULTS: In comparison of the changes between the two groups, significant differences in dentoskeletal measurements were observed with NAPog, SNA, ANB, MP-SN and with the inclinations of the upper and lower incisors (P<0.01). Significant differences in soft-tissue changes were also observed in the thickness of upper lip, the Z angle (P<0.01) and the nasolabial angle (P<0.05). Compared to the profile before treatment,only inclination of lower incisors changed significantly after treatment (P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Asymmetric extractions is feasible in treatment of Class II division 1 malocclusions evidenced by retractions of both upper and lower incisors and improves sagittal soft-tissue profile. Supported by Research Fund of Science and Technology Commission of Shanghai Municipality (Grant No.08DZ2271100).