Prediction of long-term success of orthopedic treatment in skeletal Class III malocclusions.

INTRODUCTION: We investigated the long-term success of orthopedic treatment in skeletal Class III malocclusions, established a model to predict its long-term success, and verified previously reported success rates and prediction models. METHODS: Fifty-nine patients who underwent successful facemask treatment and were followed until growth completion were evaluated. After completion of growth, the patients were divided into successful and unsuccessful groups according to overjet, overbite, and facial profile. Pretreatment cephalometric measurements were compared between groups, and logistic regression analysis was used to identify the predictors of long-term success. Four previously published articles were selected to verify the success rate and predictability of the prediction models with regard to our patient sample. RESULTS: The treatment success rate was 62.7%. The AB-mandibular plane angle, Wits appraisal, and the articular angle were identified as predictors. The success rates differed according to success criteria and patient characteristics. The prediction models proposed by the 4 previous studies and our study showed similar predictabilities (61.0%-64.4%) for our patient sample. The predictability for the unsuccessful group was low. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that no particular method or factor can predict the long-term success of orthopedic treatment for skeletal Class III malocclusion.

Skeletal and dentoalveolar changes after miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion in young adults: A cone-beam computed tomography study.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes after miniscrew-assisted rapid palatal expansion (MARPE) in young adults by cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). METHODS: This retrospective study included 14 patients (mean age, 20.1 years; range, 16-26 years) with maxillary transverse deficiency treated with MARPE. Skeletal and dentoalveolar changes were evaluated using CBCT images acquired before and after expansion. Statistical analyses were performed using paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test according to normality of the data. RESULTS: The midpalatal suture was separated, and the maxilla exhibited statistically significant lateral movement (p < 0.05) after MARPE. Some of the landmarks had shifted forwards or upwards by a clinically irrelevant distance of less than 1 mm. The amount of expansion decreased in the superior direction, with values of 5.5, 3.2, 2.0, and 0.8 mm at the crown, cementoenamel junction, maxillary basal bone, and zygomatic arch levels, respectively (p < 0.05). The buccal bone thickness and height of the alveolar crest had decreased by 0.6-1.1 mm and 1.7-2.2 mm, respectively, with the premolars and molars exhibiting buccal tipping of 1.1°-2.9°. CONCLUSIONS: Our results indicate that MARPE is an effective method for the correction of maxillary transverse deficiency without surgery in young adults.