[Critical evaluation of the relations between onset and outcome of treatment in the management of mesial bite].

In patients with mesial bite the outcome of treatment by chin caps and/or Fränkel's functional appliance was evaluated. Of 30 patients with Angle class III anomalies pre- and posttreatment telemetric films and models were reviewed. Patient were subdivided in 2 groups: Group I with deciduous teeth on their pretreatment films (ID) and group II with permanent teeth on their pretreatment films (IP). In group I (ID) patients treatment produced more extensive skeletal modifications than in group II (IP) patients, who had shown severer abnormalities before treatment. In group I (ID), the modifications obtained by treatment appeared to be more persistent than in group II (IP). Patients in group I (ID) showed reduction of the gonion angle, shortening of the ramus, reduction of the SNB and SNPog angles and increase of the ANB angle. In group II these parameters were not substantially improved. Overbite and overjet readings were ideal in group I (ID). Signs of dental compensation were seen in both groups.