Effects of the cervical headgear in growing Angle Class II malocclusion patients: a prospective study.

OBJECTIVE

Evaluate dental and skeletal changes resulting from the exclusive use of the cervical headgear for 15 ± 4 months in the treatment of patients with Class II division 1 malocclusion.

METHODS

Differences between the beginning (T1) and immediately after the end of the therapy (T2) with the cervical headgear in growing patients (Experimental Group, EG, n = 23) were examined and compared, during compatible periods, with those presented by a group of untreated individuals (Control Group, CG, n =22) with similar malocclusions and chronological age. The cephalometric variables evaluated were: ANB, GoGn.SN, AO-BO, S'-ANS, S'-A, S'-B, S'-Pog and S'-U6 (maxillary first molar). The Shapiro-Wilk and Levene tests were used to evaluate the results.

RESULTS

Significant differences were found relative to the ANB, S'-U6, AO-BO, S'-ANS, S'-A, S'-B and S'-Pog variables between T1 and T2 when comparing both groups. No statistically significant variation was found regarding the GoGn.SN angle.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of cervical headgear promoted distal movement of the maxillary first molars and restricted the anterior displacement of the maxilla, without significantly affecting the GoGn.SN angle.