Cephalometric effects of the elastodontic appliance in managing skeletal Class II division 1 cases

Aim: The aim of the study was to evaluate the cephalometric effects of the elastodontic appliance (EA) in the management of patients presenting with a skeletal Class II/1 malocclusion. Methods: Twenty Class II patients treated using the EA (Group EA) were compared with 20 Class II untreated children (Group C). Cephalograms were compared at the start (T0) and after 24 months (T1) after which time, skeletal, dental, and aesthetic variables were evaluated. A statistical evaluation was conducted by applying an unpaired t-test for normally distributed variables. Results: From T0 to T1, the EA group showed a significant increase in lower facial height (LFH), in mandibular length (Co-Gn), in the upper incisor and cranial plane angle (1 + SN) and in the distance between a true vertical line (TVL)-soft tissue B (B') and TVL-soft tissue Pogonion (Pog') points. From T0 to T1, group C showed a significant decrease in SN-occlusal plane (PO) (p < 0.01), of SN-mandibular plane (Go-Me) (p < 0.01) and of total gonial (N-Go-Me) angles (p < 0.05); a significant reduction of the distance between TVL-upper incisor (1+), TVL-lower lip (Li), and TVL-Pog' was shown. No statistical differences were observed between the groups in dental and aesthetic outcomes, except for a skeletal increase in LFH (p < 0.05) and in Co-Gn length (p < 0.05), which was statistically significant in the EA group. Conclusion: In Class II growing patients, the EA induces minor skeletal effects, compared to untreated control patients.