Short-term dentoskeletal changes following Class II treatment using a fixed functional appliance: the Austro Repositioner : A pilot study.

OBJECTIVE: Purpose of this prospective study was to evaluate the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects of a fixed functional appliance, the Austro Repositioner, in dolicho- and brachyfacial skeletal Class II patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: In all, 20 dolicho- and 25 brachyfacial consecutive patients treated with the Austro Repositioner were compared with untreated controls (20 dolicho- and 20 brachyfacial patients) with the same initial dentoskeletal features. Lateral cephalograms were acquired before and 1.0±0.2 year after therapy.

RESULTS: Significant improvements in skeletal Class II relationships were observed in both groups. The ANB angle decreased (3.56° in dolicho- and 3.13° in brachyfacial patients, P < 0.001) due to changes localized exclusively in the mandible, the SNB angle increased to 3.20° in dolicho- and 3.02° in brachyfacial patients, and the total mandibular length (Co-Pg) increased to 6.47 mm in dolicho- and 5.78 mm in brachyfacial patients (P < 0.001). A favorable guidance of vertical pattern was also achieved in both groups, and no significant changes were observed in the upper and lower incisors in both groups.

CONCLUSIONS: The Austro Repositioner was effective for short-term treatment of skeletal Class II malocclusion resulting from the retrusion of the mandible in both dolicho- and brachyfacial patients.