The Effectiveness of the Twin Block and Carriere Motion Appliances in Post-pubertal Patients and an Evaluation of the Impact of Class II Malocclusion and Its Correction on Oral Health-related Quality of Life

Introduction:

Multiple treatment approaches are available to address the Class II byccal segment relationship characteristic of this type of malocclusion. However, the treatment approach depends on various factors, with chronological and skeletal age being pivotal. Typically, patients present with an underlying Class II skeletal pattern characterised by mandibular retrusion.

In growing patients, treatment often involves growth-dependent strategies, such as functional appliances or other Class II correctors. While these approaches primarily produce dentoalveolar effects, with less than one-third of the correction achieved by functional appliances attributable to skeletal changes, understanding the distinction between skeletal and dentoalveolar impacts is crucial. This differentiation informs treatment choice by highlighting the varying degrees to which these methods can achieve skeletal versus dental corrections, essential for tailoring patient-specific plans.

A continuing discussion exists regarding the ability of functional appliances, whether removable or fixed, to provide effective short- and long-term stimulation of mandibular growth. While this discussion endures, it is widely recognised that the majority of correction achieved with these appliances tends to be dentoalveolar rather than skeletal in nature, with only a modest proportion attributable to true mandibular advancement. Furthermore, these dentoalveolar effects are not exclusive to functional appliances, as similar outcomes have been documented with alternative Class II correctors such as the Carriere Motion Appliance, as detailed in subsequent studies.

Some researchers propose that functional appliances yield favourable outcomes by promoting mandibular growth, either through increased mandibular length or condylar growth. Conversely, other studies contend that the extent of these skeletal effects is limited. Consequently, substantial evidence indicates that dentoalveolar changes resulting from functional appliance treatment exceed the skeletal changes.

Correcting Class II malocclusion in growing patients using functional appliances and Class II correctors is relatively predictable. However, uncertainty persists regarding the effectiveness of these appliances in older adolescents in the post-pubertal growth phase (aged approximately 14.5 years or above). Limited evidence from two retrospective studies suggests that CTB and fixed functional appliances remain effective in patients with mean ages of 13.73 ± 1.51 years and 13.76 ± 1.44 years, respectively. Furthermore, a recent randomised controlled trial (RCT) demonstrated that CTB yielded comparable effects in patients aged 11 years 8 months to 12 years 8 months, relative to those who initiated treatment 18 months later. However, the interval of active treatment between the immediate treatment group and the later treatment group may not have been sufficient to reveal significant differences in treatment outcomes. The delay for the late-treatment group was constrained by the current waiting list durations in this study.

There is a notable lack of literature regarding the effectiveness of functional appliances and other Class II correctors in post-pubertal patients.

Oral Health Related Quality of Life associated with Class II and its treatment Although both CTB and CMA are effective in growing patients in correcting dental and skeletal discrepancies, they may influence daily activities, comfort, and psychological aspects, which often results in poor compliance. Poor adherence to orthodontic treatment, whether with fixed or removable appliances, can lead to higher rates of treatment failure. To address these compliance challenges, our study will use wear-time sensors in the CTBs to objectively monitor appliance adherence.

Several generic measures are used to assess oral health-related quality of life (OHRQoL) across various dental conditions. One such measure is the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP), which is also available in a short form (COHIP-19). This questionnaire is a reliable and valid tool for assessing OHRQoL in patients aged 7 to 18 years.

However, generic measures may not fully capture condition-specific impacts. To address this limitation, condition-specific OHRQoL measures have been developed. The Malocclusion Impact Questionnaire (MIQ), initially developed and tested in the UK, provides a targeted assessment of the effects of malocclusion on young patients. The Orthodontic Treatment Impact Questionnaire (OTIQ) evaluates the daily impact of orthodontic appliances on adolescents and demonstrates strong construct validity, reliability, and internal consistency.

Statement of the problem:

The effectiveness of functional appliances and Class II correctors in treating Class II malocclusion is well known. However, treating older adolescents in the post-pubertal skeletal growth phase presents certain challenges that we aim to address:

• To evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of CTB and CMA in older adolescents who have completed their skeletal growth spurt.
• To assess the impact of CTB and CMA on OHRQoL, thereby informing treatment planning decisions and appliance wear protocols to improve treatment adherence.
• Additionally, understanding the impact of Class II malocclusion on OHRQoL may assist orthodontists in preparing patients for treatment and involving them in the decision-making process.

Importance of this research:

• The findings will provide insight into whether treatment initiated at an older age remains effective and into which of the two established treatment modalities is more effective and efficient.
• Additionally, this research will elucidate both the potential benefits on oral health-related quality of life and the challenges and adjustments young patients encounter during treatment. Such knowledge may be invaluable for orthodontists in preparing patients for treatment, refining appliance design, and improving patient comfort and adherence.
• Ultimately, these insights will inform patient selection and consent processes for older adolescent patients with Class II malocclusions.

Objectives:

The objectives of this clinical trial are to:

• Compare the amount of dental and skeletal changes and time taken to achieve those changes between post-pubertal patients wearing CTB and CMA.
• Assess the challenges and adjustments older adolescents face during CTB and CMA therapy through the completion of Orthodontic Treatment Impact Questionnaire (OTIQ).
• Evaluate the OHRQoL associated with Class II malocclusion in older adolescents through the completion of the Malocclusion Impact Questionnaire (MIQ) and the Child Oral Health Impact Profile (COHIP-19) questionnaire.

Hypotheses:

• Correction of Class II malocclusion with either CTB or CMA in post-pubertal older adolescents is effective, and both appliances are equally effective and efficient.
• Class II correction with CTB and CMA has a beneficial effect on OHRQoL in older adolescents.
• Class II malocclusion affects the OHRQoL of older adolescents negatively.