Post-Retention Changes in Class II Division 1 Malocclusion Extraction Cases: Cephalometric Changes

Instability of the dental, skeletal and soft tissues is one of the most frequently associated problems with orthodontic correction of Class II division 1 malocclusion. Objective: To evaluate the stability of post-retention changes in skeletal type II orthodontic patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion. Materials and Methods: Analysis of cephalometric films was performed for 29 patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion with skeletal type II (14 males, 15 females, ages ranging from 10.2-18.0 years), who were treated with extractions of four premolars and edgewise-fixed orthodontic appliance. Twenty-six cephalometric variables of dental, skeletal and soft tissues were evaluated at three points of time: pre-treatment, posttreatment and post-retention period (mean, 4.15 years). Repeated measures ANOVA was used to compare the results of pre-treatment and post-treatment periods, and post-treatment and post-retention periods with level of significance set at p< 0.05. Results: The findings of the cephalometric data revealed that significant changes occurred in incisors inclination and position, ratio of facial height and soft tissue profile in the post-treatment period. However in the post-retention period, slight changes in dental, vertical skeletal profile and soft tissue profile were observed. Conclusion: In Class II Division 1 malocclusion treated with extraction of the biscupids and fixed orthodontics, the overall stability of the dental, skeletal and soft tissues in the post-retention period was relatively good.