Effects of cervical headgear and edgewise appliances on growing patients

Maxillary basal bone, dentoalveolar, and dental changes in Class II Divisio n 1 patients treated to normal occlusion by using cervical headgear and edg ewise appliances were retrospectively evaluated. A sample of 45 treated pat ients was compared with a group of 30 untreated patients. Subjects were dra wn from the Department of Orthodontics, Araraquara School of Dentistry, Bra zil, and ranged in age from 7.5 to 13.5 years. The groups were matched base d on age, gender, and malocclusion. Roughly 87% of the treated group had a mesocephalic or brachicephalic pattern, and 13% had a dolicocephalic patter n. Cervical headgear was used until a Class I dental relationship was achie ved. Our results demonstrated that the malocclusions were probably correcte d by maintaining the maxillary first molars in position during maxillary gr owth. Maxillary basal bone changes (excluding dentoalveolar changes) did no t differ significantly between the treated and the untreated groups. Molar extrusion after the use of cervical headgear was not supported by our data, and this must be considered in the treatment plan of patients who present similar facial types.