Dr Araxi Balian
University of Milan, Italy
Title: Class II non-extraction treatment with intermaxillary elastics using aligners versus standard multi-brackets appliances: a comparative study
Biography
Biography: Dr Araxi Balian
Abstract
Class II malocclusion is a major and common challenge clinicians face in daily practice, as it affects more than one third of adolescents seeking orthodontic treatment. Most of Class II malocclusion presents a normal or at least a slightly altered skeletal pattern with mild-to-moderate anteroposterior occlusal discrepancy, which can be successfully treated with non-extraction orthodontics supported by intermaxillary elastics. It is claimed that Invisalign aligners (Align Technology, Inc., San José, CA, USA) can effectively correct Class II malocclusion when the total amount of anteroposterior discrepancy is within 4-5mm. Even though Invisalign has become a popular treatment choice for clinicians because of the aesthetics and comfort of the removable clear aligners (RCA), there is a general lack of research. Moreover, the majority of research have investigated the feasibility of Invisalign in producing single specific movements rather than evaluate the overall outcome of the treatment of a given malocclusion. The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the Class II non-extraction treatment outcomes of Invisalign supported by intermaxillary elastics and to compare with those observed in a control group treated with standard multi-brackets appliances. Statistical comparison has been carried out to assess post-treatment outcomes of the two groups, as well as to determine differences regarding patients’ complaints and compliance during orthodontic therapy.