Long-term stability of dentoalveolar and skeletal changes after activator-headgear treatment

The aim of this study was to analyze the long-term stability of combined activator-headgear treatment on skeletal and dental structures in Class II patients. The material comprised 26 subjects, 10 girls and 16 boys. All had a molar Class II relationship, overjet > or =6 mm, and overbite > or =5 mm. They were treated in one practice with combined activator and headgear appliances. Lateral cephalometric radiographs and dental study casts were taken before treatment (T0, mean age 11.9 years), at the end of activator-headgear treatment (T1, mean age 15.9 years), and 12-15 years out of retention (T2, mean age 28.6 years). Nineteen cephalometric and nine dental cast variables were evaluated using a paired sample t-test between T0-T1, T1-T2, and T0-T2. At T1, the majority of the cephalometric measurements showed statistically significant changes. ANB was significantly reduced by 2.3 degrees due to a significant increase in SNB, but only small changes were observed in SNA. The interincisal angle increased as a result of significant retroclination of both maxillary and mandibular incisors. All patients achieved a Class I molar relationship and a significant reduction in overjet and overbite. At T2, the results showed only slight relapse from T1. However, the relapse did not compromise the significant improvement in almost all the cephalometric and dental variables. Combined activator-headgear treatment improved the skeletal and dental conditions and the results remained stable in the long term.