title: Short-term and long-term treatment outcomes with Class III activator.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate short-term and long-term skeletodental outcomes of Class III activator treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  A Class III activator treatment group (AG) comprised of 22 patients (9 boys, 13 girls) was compared with a Class III control group (CG) comprised of 17 patients (6 boys, 11 girls). The total treatment period was divided into three stages; the initial stage (T1), the post-activator treatment or post-mandibular growth peak stage (T2), and the long-term follow-up stage (T3). Cephalometric changes were evaluated statistically via the Mann-Whitney U-test and the Friedman test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The AG exhibited significant increases in the SNA angle, ANB angle, Wits appraisal, A point-N perpendicular, Convexity of A point, and proclination of the maxillary incisors, from T1 to T2. In the long-term follow-up (T1-T3), the AG exhibited significantly greater increases in the ANB angle, Wits appraisal, and Convexity of A point than the CG.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Favorable skeletal outcomes induced during the Class III activator treatment period were generally maintained until the long-term follow-up period of the post-mandibular growth peak stage.
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Wonkwang Dental Research Institute, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyo-Kyung
authors.initials: HK
authors.lastname: Ryu
authors.affiliation: Private Practice, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Hyun-Jeong
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Chong
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Gangneung-Wonju National University, Gangneung, Korea.
authors.forename: Ki-Yong
authors.initials: KY
authors.lastname: An
authors.affiliation: Department of Orthodontics, College of Dentistry, Wonkwang Dental Research Institute, Wonkwang University, Iksan, Korea.
authors.forename: Kyung-Hwa
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Kang
keywords: Class III activator; Skeletodental changes