Preliminary investigation of Tip-Edge Plus technique in the treatment of Class III malocclusion / 中华口腔医学杂志

ABSTRACT

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the craniofacial and occlusal changes of Class III cases treated with Tip-Edge Plus Technique.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirteen Class III patients (6 girls and 7 boys, mean age 14.9 years) with mandibular protrusion were selected. All the patients were four premolar extraction cases and treated with Tip-Edge Plus technique. Cephalometric analysis was performed to evaluate the changes before and after treatment.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, Wits changed from (-2.50 +/- 1.40) mm to (-1.00 +/- 0.85) mm and ANB changed from (-0.61 +/- 1.41) degrees to (1.31 +/- 1.66) degrees (P < 0.05). UL-E and LL-E were decreased significantly from (7.55 +/- 1.24) mm to (4.82 +/- 1.05) mm and from (10.16 +/- 2.43) mm to (6.03 +/- 2.01) mm respectively (P < 0.01). The incisors were retracted. A remarkable soft tissue change was noted after the treatment. The difference between the distance of the upper lip and lower lip to SnPg' at the beginning of treatment changed from (-1.57 +/- 1.24) mm to (0.62 +/- 1.24) mm (P < 0.01). FCA changed from (2.62 +/- 1.53) degrees to (7.02 +/- 2.21) degrees .</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>With Tip-Edge Plus straight-wire technique and light continuous force, anterior teeth could be tipped distally and lingually quickly. The hard and soft tissues changed accordingly.</p>