Longitudinal assessment of vertical and sagittal control in the mandibulararch by the mandibular fixed lingual arch

The purpose of this investigation was to determine and quantify vertical ch anges in the position of the mandibular molars while maintaining arch perim eter with a fixed lingual arch. Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 10 .4 +/- 0.6 years were selected to receive fixed lingual arch treatment as t he only appliance in the mandibular arch. Average treatment time was 18.3 /- 0.6 months. Longitudinal records for 12 and 24 months of 24 individuals matched by ethnic origin, age, gender, and mandibular plane inclination wer e used as controls, Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalograms were used t o determine positional changes, Statistically significant differences betwe en the fixed lingual arch and control groups were found. The results of thi s investigation indicated that the mandibular fixed lingual arch is a usefu l tool to control the vertical development of the mandibular molars.