Dentoskeletal effects of Herbst Appliance treatment among different skeletal maturity groups

Abstract

AIM: To evaluate skeletal and dentoalveolar changes produced by the splinted Herbst appliance in three groups of subjects with a Class II malocclusion treated at different stages of skeletal maturity as determined on the basis of cervical vertebral maturation (CVM). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: The pre-peak group comprised eight subjects (5 females, 3 males) presenting with stage 2 CVM (mean age 9.8 ± 2.1 years), the peak group 14 subjects (8 females, 6 males) presenting with either stages 3 or 4 CVM (mean age 13.3 ± 1.5 years), and the post-peak group 15 subjects (6 females, 9 males) presenting with either stage 5 or 6 CVM (mean age 18 ± 2.4 years). Lateral cephalograms taken at the start and end of splinted Herbst appliance treatment were analysed. RESULTS: The pre-peak and peak groups exhibited signifi cant improvement (P <0.05) in overjet and signifi cant advancement of the mandibular base (P <0.05) compared with the post-peak group. CONCLUSION: The maturity of skeletal Class II patients based on CVM was associated with treatment responses to the Herbst appliance.