A LONG-TERM CEPHALOMETRIC EVALUATION OF TREATED CLASS-II DIVISION-2 MALOCCLUSIONS

A retrospective study was conducted in order to evaluate post-retentio n changes of skeletal, dental, and soft-tissue variables in Class II d ivision 2 malocclusions. Data were obtained from lateral cephalograms of children with Class II division 2 malocclusions which were taken be fore orthodontic treatment (T-00; n=81), post-retention (T-0; n=81), 2 years post-retention (T-2; n=65) and 5 years post-retention (T-5; n=4 4). A two-way ANOVA with sex and age as predictors was applied. Signif icant sex and age influences for the increments were mostly found duri ng treatment (T-00-T-0), but especially for skeletal variables also du ring T-0-T-5. The changes over time were more pronounced for males tha n for females. The changes over time were less pronounced in older age groups. Sagittal and vertical facial dimensions were increased by gro wth and therapy. The skeletal Class II pattern was reduced significant ly during T-00-T-0. Several skeletal variables indicated an anterior r otational growth pattern of the mandible post-retention. The interinci sal angle and the overbite were reduced, and the upper incisors were t orqued during treatment. The inclination of upper and especially lower incisors showed some relapse post-retention. The overbite and the int erincisal angle increased significantly post-retention. The lip line w as lowered during treatment. The soft-tissues showed horizontal and ve rtical growth during treatment while there were no remarkable changes afterwards. Due to growth the nose and the chin became more pronounced in the face. Since a large number of the variables still showed signi ficant change during T-2-T-5 it is concluded that an evaluation of tre atment and post-retention growth should entail a followup period of at least 5 years.