Evaluation of long-term effects in patients treated with Frnkel-2 appliance

Authors:

ABSTRACT

Aim

To evaluate the dentoskeletal effects produced by Frnkel-2 (FR-2) appliance during the treatment of
patients with Class II malocclusion by mandibular retrusion and to verify the long-term stability of these changes.

Methods

Pre-treatment, post-treatment and long-term serial cephalograms (at least 10 years after the end
of treatment) of patients treated with FR-2 were compared with data obtained from untreated controls. To be included in the
study, patients and controls had to exhibit Class II malocclusion caused by short mandibular body. Lateral cephalograms
were analysed with a specific tracing regimen in both groups. Summary measures for the initial cephalometric values and
increments of changes between visits were calculated.

Results

Compared to controls, the FR-2 treatment produced a
significant decrease in the ANB angle that improved the skeletal intermaxillary and occlusal relationship. At long-term follow-
up, the FR-2 group showed further improvements of skeletal intermaxillary and occlusal relationship, therefore the changes
observed during treatment showed no compensatory decline or rebound.

Conclusion

FR-2 treatment, in conjunction
with a period of post-functional fixed appliance therapy designed to perfect the occlusion, can produce a long-lasting
improvement of the skeletal Class II malocclusions with little skeletal correction and significant incisor
compensation.

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