An assessment of late fixed functional treatment and the stability of Forsus appliance effects.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the treatment effects and stability of Forsus appliance therapy. METHODS Thirty-one patients (15 males, 16 females) with a mean age of 15.8 +/- 3.1 years (range 13 to 17.6 years, 15.3 +/- 1.2 years for females and 16.5 +/- 1.6 years for males) were selected. All patients had passed beyond their pubertal growth phase (after CS4 or MP3cap). Lateral cephalograms and threedimensional (3D) models were analysed before treatment (T0), at the end of treatment (T1) and at a follow-up visit (T2). The mean period from T1 to T2 was 25 months and ranged from 17 to 32 months. Tooth position and angulations, together with maxillary and mandibular position, were measured on cephalograms. The inclinations and vertical distance changes of mandibular incisors were measured on a 3D digital model. RESULTS The Forsus appliance produced significant skeletal and dental changes during treatment (from T0 to T1). In the sagittal plane, mandibular length (Co-Gn) increased 6.47 mm, the maxillary incisors and molars uprighted (angle U1-SN decreased 8.97 degrees and angle U6-SN decreased 3.51 degrees), the mandibular incisors proclined (angle L1-MP increased 3.93 degrees) and the mandibular molars advanced (L6-SP increased 3.61 mm). In the vertical plane, the maxilla and mandible rotated clockwise (angle PP-SN, angle MP-SN, angle OP-SN increased significantly) and the mandibular molars extruded (L6-MP increased 3.06 mm). All of the changes remained relatively stable after treatment. Cephalometric sagittal and vertical changes affecting the mandibular incisors from T1 to T2 were statistically insignificant (p > 0.05) except for lower incisor extrusion (L1-MP, p < 0.05). CONCLUSION The Forsus appliance induced significant skeletal and dental changes, which remained relatively stable during the observation period. The mandibular incisors, in particular, were stable two years after treatment.