Assessment of mandibular growth and response to functional appliance treatment in prepubertal patients with different auxologic categories.
OBJECTIVE
To assess mandibular growth and response to functional appliance treatment in different Petrovic's auxologic categories and to investigate diagnostic and prognostic usefulness of the Lavergne-Petrovic's flow diagram.


METHODS
Eighteen patients with class II malocclusion (ANB>/=4 degrees , dental class II) were selected and divided into 4 groups according to the auxologic categories. Category 2 group had 4 patients, category 3 group had 5, category 4 group had 5 and category 5 group had 4. In order to obtain patient's growth curves and detect the correct treatment time, patient's height was measured every 3 months. This method was supported by the cervical vertebral maturation method for the assessment of mandibular growth. Functional appliance and/or class II elastics, during the fixed appliance phase, were used to correct skeletal and dental relationships. Average treatment time was 31 months (Range 28-36 months). CoGn and ANB were detected in pre-treatment and post-treatment radiographs in order to assess mandibular growth.


RESULTS
The highest growth was in category 5, the lowest in category 2. Rotational type improvement was generally observed.


CONCLUSIONS
In prepubertal class II patients, treatment success not only depends on appliance choice, clinician's ability and correct treatment time, but also on individual growth potential and facial type. Therefore Lavergne-Petrovic's flow diagram could become a great diagnostic and prognostic aid for the orthodontist.
Celli
Daniel
D
Scuola di Specializzazione in Ortognatodonzia, "Sacred Heart" Catholic University, Roma, Italy. info@celliortho.it
Gasperoni
Enrico
E
Oliva
Bruno
B
Deli
Roberto
R
D000365:Age Determination by Skeleton / Q000379:methods; D001827:Body Height / Q000502:physiology; D002508:Cephalometry / Q000379:methods; D002648:Child; D002680:Chin / Q000473:pathology; D006801:Humans; D008312:Malocclusion, Angle Class II / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000628:therapy*; D008334:Mandible / Q000254:growth & development* / Q000473:pathology; D008335:Mandibular Condyle / Q000473:pathology; D008437:Maxilla / Q000473:pathology; D009295:Nasal Bone / Q000473:pathology; D009967:Orthodontic Appliances / Q000145:classification; D017289:Orthodontic Appliances, Functional; D011379:Prognosis; D011627:Puberty; D012399:Rotation; D013997:Time Factors; D016896:Treatment Outcome