Class III malocclusion: early treatment with facemask beneficial

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This review of the early treatment of class III malocclusion identified 15 studies (9 RCTs, 6 CCTs) providing moderate quality evidence that early treatment with a facemask results in positive improvement for both skeletal and dental effects in the short term.

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Class II malocclusion- fixed or removable functional appliances?

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This review looked at the efficacy of fixed and removable functional appliances for the treatment of class II malocclusion. Just 4 trials were identified 2 of which were randomised. Limited evidence found fixed and removable functional appliances are effective in reducing overjet in children but there is little evidence to differentiate the approaches.

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Class II malocclusion: an overview of reviews of functional treatment

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This overview brings together 14 systematic reviews of varying quality on a range of appliances for the management of class II malocclusions. There is some evidence of some benefit from some types of appliance but more studies of a higher quality are needed.

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Functional orthodontic appliances: effective in short-term suggests review

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This review of functional orthodontic appliances included 10 CCTs and 7 RCTs and found they produced short-term improvements in class II malocclusion. This needs to be considered with a recent Cochrane review of early treatment for children with class II malocclusion that found that it was more effective in reducing the incidence of incisal trauma than providing one course of orthodontic treatment in early adolescence.

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Review suggests twin-block appliance produces changes- but are they clinically important?

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Fixed and removable functional appliances are used in the management of class II malocclusions. The Twin-block consists of upper and lower acrylic bite blocks with occlusal inclined planes that interlock at a 70 degree angle and guide the mandible forward and downward. It is considered that the twin-block is better tolerated by patients. The aim [read the full story…]

Early orthodontic treatment may reduce incisal trauma in children with class II malocclusions

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This is the latest update of a Cochrane review looking at the treatment of class II malocclusion.  This is a common problem affecting about one in four of 12 year-olds in the UK.    The aim of the review was to assess the effects of orthodontic treatment for prominent upper front teeth (Class II malocclusion) when [read the full story…]