Comparison of skeletal anchored facemask and tooth-borne facemask according to vertical skeletal pattern and growth stage

Objective: To compare the treatment effects between skeletal anchored facemask (SAFM) and tooth-borne facemask (TBFM) on different maturation stages and vertical skeletal patterns. Materials and Methods: In this retrospective study, 28 patients who were treated with TBFM treatment and 19 patients who were treated with SAFM were reviewed. Cephalograms at the beginning and end of facemask application were obtained and assessed. Each treatment group was divided according to skeletal maturity and facial angle type. Nonparametric Mann-Whitney U-test was used for comparisons of maturity stage and vertical skeletal type between the treatment groups. Results: SAFM produced a significant increase in the anterior-posterior position of orbitale (SNOr) and A point (N. per. to A). The high mandibular plane angle group of SAFM revealed greater anterior movement than that of TBFM without opening of the mandibular plane. In the SAFM group, the angulation of the maxillary incisors was retroclined at CVM3 compared to CVM4. In the younger group (CVM3), SAFM showed greater changes in the variables of orbitale (2.909 degrees) and maxillary length (5.818 mm), compared to TBFM. Conclusions: Compared with the TBFM group, the findings suggest significant advantages for the SAFM group for relative skeletal maturity and vertical skeletal pattern.