Evaluation of clear aligner treatment for early permanent dentition Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion in adolescents.
Miao He, Hai Feng, Yang-Dong Lin, Yong-Juan Guo, Zun-Tai Li
Abstract
Open AccessBackground: Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion in adolescents can impair oral health and facial aesthetics, yet evidence on clear aligner therapy is limited. This study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy of clear aligner therapy combined with Class II intermaxillary traction for treating Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion in adolescents during the early permanent dentition stage. Methods: A total of 30 adolescents (14 males and 16 females; age range, 12-15 years; mean age: 12.6 years) diagnosed with Angle Class II Division 1 malocclusion in early permanent dentition were enrolled. All patients received non-extraction treatment using clear aligners combined with Class II intermaxillary traction. Treatment outcomes were assessed by comparing pre- and post-treatment cephalometric measurements using statistical analysis. Results: The mean treatment duration was 28.6 months. All patients achieved satisfactory occlusal outcomes, including improved overjet, overbite, and Class I molar relationship, along with notable enhancement in facial profile aesthetics. Post-treatment cephalometric analysis revealed statistically significant improvements (P<0.05) in most parameters, including sella-nasion-point B angle (SNB), point A-nasion-point B angle (ANB), gonion-pogonion distance (Go-Pog) distance, U1-SN angle, U1-NA angle, U1-L1 angle, U1-NA distance, L1-MP angle, L1-NB angle, L1-NB distance, overjet, overbite, U1-PP distance, L1-MP distance, PTM-U6 distance, upper lip to E-plane (UL-EP), lower lip to E-plane (LL-EP), nasolabial angle (NLA), and facial convexity angle (FCA). No significant changes were observed in sella-nasion-point A angle (SNA), MP-SN, or MP-FH angles (P>0.05). Conclusions: Clear aligner therapy, when combined with Class II intermaxillary traction, is an effective approach for correcting Angle Class II Division 1 Malocclusion in adolescents. It not only improves occlusal relationships but also enhances facial soft tissue profile.