SKELETAL AND DENTO-ALVEOLAR EFFECTS OF THE RICK-A-NATOR APPLIANCE IN EARLY STAGE CORRECTION OF CLASS II MALOCCLUSION

Aim: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the skeletal and dento-alveolar effects of the Rick-A-Nator appliance in the treatment of growing patients with skeletal Class II malocclusion due to retrusive mandible. Methods: 13 Class II growing patients with mandibular retrusion and between the ages of 9 years and 12 years were selected to be included in this study. Control group for the treated group was generated from growth data of untreated Class II subjects. Pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs were traced and analyzed. Changes in the treated group were compared to those in the control group. Results: The mandibular length was highly significantly increased by 2.44 mm. The mandibular incisors were proclined by distance of 4.54 mm. The overjet was highly significantly reduced by 4.25 mm. The molar relation was significantly corrected by 3.62 mm. While the overbite was reduced from a mean of 75.43% before treatment to a mean of 21.16% after treatment. Conclusions: The Rick-A-Nator appliance was effective in treatment of Class II malocclusion with deficient mandible. Significant reduction of the overjet and the overbite were associated with the Rick-A-Nator treatment.