The long-term efficacy of rapid maxillary expansion and facemask therapy in Class III malocclusion
Abstract
Aim
The aim of the present study was to investigate the long-term efficacy of rapid maxillary expansion (RME) and facemask (FM) therapy in the treatment of Class III malocclusions by comparing Class III subjects treated by RME/FM mechanics with untreated Class III controls at the Western Australian public dental hospital.
Materials and methods
The lateral cephalograms of 42 (26 males, 16 females) Class III patients treated by RME/FM therapy were analysed and compared with a control sample comprised of 23 (14 males, 9 females) untreated Class III patients. Evaluations were carried out prior to facemask therapy and at a long-term follow-up period of approximately eight to nine years post-treatment. Statistical comparisons were performed using t-tests for unpaired data.
Results
At long-term follow-up, there were no statistically significant differences between the treated and control groups except in overjet, which was greater in the treated group (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
These results suggest that the short-term effects on the maxilla in RME/FM therapy are not maintained in the long term. Success in treatment is largely dependent on the patient’s skeletal growth pattern.
© 2021 Bi Ngoc Huynh Le, Mithran Goonewardene, Christophe Duigou, Chrianna Bharat, published by Australian Society of Orthodontists Inc.
This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.