RT - Journal of Clinical Pediatric Dentistry ID - 10.22514/jocpd.2023.070 T1 - Comparison between clear aligners and twin-block in treating class II malocclusion in children: a retrospective study A1 - Jianfang He A1 - Longshuang Hu A1 - Yan Yuan A1 - Peipei Wang A1 - Feifei Zheng A1 - Han Jiang A1 - Wen Li K1 - Twin-block appliance; Clear aligner; Cephalometric measurement; Overjet; Class II malocclusion YR - 2024 SP - 125 AB -

The study herein evaluated and compared the efficacy of Clear Aligners (CA) and Twin-Block (TB) appliances as the early orthodontic treatments of developing class II division 1 malocclusion. Twenty-four patients each for CA (11.73 ± 0.33 y) and TB (11.87 ± 0.34 y) groups were selected according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria. The cephalometric X-rays and intraoral photos were taken for the patients after nearly 12 months of treatment. Treatment impacts were evaluated by the molar correction and overjet reduction. The vertical and sagittal changes were analyzed through cephalometric measurements. Sella-nasion-point B angle (SNB), point A-nasion-point B angle (ANB), Wits Appraisal (AO-BO) and overjet were statistically significant regarding the sagittal changes analyzed before and after the treatments in both groups, respectively. So, no significant difference was noted in the sagittal changes between CA and TB groups. However, for the vertical changes, OP (occlusal plane) angle of CA group and OP angle, AFH (anterior facial height) and PFH (posterior facial height) of TB group were statistically significant. Moreover, the Z angle and cranial facial difficulty (C.F. difficulty) were also statistically significant in both groups. Class II children with retrognathic mandible are effectively treated by employing the CA, which has almost the same impact as of TB in sagittal and vertical changes. Resultantly, the patient profile is improved. The CA and TB treatments thus minimize the subsequent treatment difficulty by reducing the C.F. difficulty.