title: Shape-coordinate and tensor analysis of skeletal changes in children with treated Class III malocclusions.
abstract: The current study was undertaken to evaluate both maxillary and mandibular shape/size changes in children with Class III malocclusions, treated with a functional appliance (removable mandibular retractor). Nonconventional cephalometric methods (Bookstein's shape coordinate analysis, centroid size analysis, and tensor analysis) were applied to a maxillary triangle (T-FMN-A) and to a mandibular triangle (Co-Go-Pg). A group of 30 children with treated Class III malocclusions were compared with a matched group of 30 children with untreated Class III malocclusions. Treatment with the functional appliance produced a significantly increased growth of the maxilla, featuring a more downward and forward displacement of the region of point A and a significantly more upward and forward direction of condylar growth, leading to a "shrinkage" of total mandibular length. The biologic significance of some conventional cephalometric measurements used for the assessment of both maxillary and mandibular position and structure was tested.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, University of Florence, Italy.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Baccetti
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Franchi
mesh_terms: D000202:Activator Appliances; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002680:Chin / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008313:Malocclusion, Angle Class III / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000254:growth & development / Q000473:pathology*; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D012658:Sella Turcica / Q000473:pathology