Dentoskeletal effects of the fast-back molar distalizer followed by fixed appliances

Introduction: The purpose of this study was to analyze the skeletal and dentoalveolar changes induced by the Fast-Back appliance followed by fixed appliances when compared with untreated Class II controls. Materials and methods: The treated and untreated samples consisted of 27 subjects each (16 girls and 11 boys in the Fast-Back Group, FBG; 15 girls and 12 boys in the control Group, CG) with mean ages at the start of treatment of 13 years 3 months in the FBG and 13 years 2 months in the CG. Subjects of the FBG were treated during either the pubertal or postpubertal periods. Lateral cephalograms were analyzed at 2 observation periods: before distalization (T1) and after comprehensive orthodontic treatment appliance (T2). The T1-T2 changes in the FBG were contrasted with those in the CG by means of Mann-Whitney U test (p<0.05). Results: Treatment induced an average correction of molar relationship of 2.4 mm. The significant correction of the overjet (2.1 mm) was associated with a significant amount of lower incisor proclination (3.8 degrees). A significant extrusion of lower molars (1.8 mm) was recorded in the FBG. The FBG showed also a significant increase in total mandibular length (Co-Gn, 2.6 mm), a counterclockwise rotation of the palatal plane (1.4 degrees), an increase in anterior facial height (N-Me, 2.7 mm), and in mandibular ramus height (Co-Go, 2.6 mm). Conclusions: The Fast-Back is an effective appliance for Class II correction during the pubertal or postpubertal periods.