Short-term soft- and hard-tissue changes following Class III treatment using a removable mandibular retractor: a randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the effects of a Class III functional appliance [the removable mandibular retractor (RMR)] in the early treatment of skeletal Class III deformities. SET-UP: Randomized controlled trial.

SETTING

Orthodontic Department, University of Al-Baath Dental School, Hamah, Syria.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Sixty-seven skeletal Class III patients were recruited, distributed randomly into two groups: 1) treatment group (T) with the RMR: 33 patients (17 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 7.5 ± 1.33 years, 2) control group (C): 34 patients (15 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 7.3 ± 1.58 years. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the start of treatment (T1-T) or at the start of the observation period (T1-C) and after 14.5 ± 0.1 months (both groups). Soft- and hard-tissue changes in both groups were evaluated.

RESULTS

The main significant findings in the treatment group were 1) anterior morphogenetic rotation of the mandible as a result of upward and forward condylar growth; 2) significant increase in maxillary length; 3) significant increase in maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion; 4) significant decrease in mandibular dentoalveolar protrusion; 5) significant protrusion of the upper lip; 6) significant retrusion of the lower lip; and 7) significant reduction in nasolabial angle.

CONCLUSION

The RMR is an effective appliance in the treatment of skeletal Class III patients in the early mixed dentition in the short term.