Early treatment of pseudo-class III malocclusion with modified swallowing occlusal contact intercept appliance (S.O.C.I.A.).

AIMS

The aim of the present work was to evaluate the dentoskeletal effects of swallowing occlusal contact intercept appliance (SOCIA) III in pseudo Class III malocclusion treatment.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients (mean age: 9.46 years old) with pseudo-Class III malocclusion and 22 pseudo-Class III untreated controls (mean age: 8.7 years old) were selected and examined. All patients presented with a cervical stage CS2, CS3, or CS4. Patients with CS5 were not enrolled in the study. Cephalometric analysis was performed before phase 1 treatment (T1) and immediately following phase 2 treatment (T2).

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS

Paired t-test and independent t-test.

RESULTS

SOCIA III had skeletal and dental effects. The main effects of SOCIA III were on the midface with an effective increase of the sagittal growth (cranial base P < 0.001, anterior cranial base (ACB) P < 0.001, and maxilla growth P < 0.001) and vertical growth (anterior facial height P < 0.001). The effects of SOCIA on the mandible were a control of mandibular postrotation (P = 0.82) and the sagittal growth (P < 0.007). At the end of the treatment, a normal overjet was achieved (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The SOCIA III effects are resumed as follow: (a) an effective maxillary sagittal increase on the sagittal plane; (b) a vertical mandibular control; (c) a resolution of overjet; (d) no increase of overbite; (e) a stimulation of ACB growth.