The incisor-lip relationship in Herbst/multibracket appliance treatment of Class II, Division 2 malocclusions

The purpose of this investigation was to examine the effect of Herbst/multibracket appliance treatment on the upper incisor-lower lip relationship in the management of Class II, division 2 malocclusions. The study evaluated 19 successfully treated subjects using lateral head films analyzed at 3 occasions: before (T1) and after (T2) Herbst/multibracket appliance treatment and 1-year posttreatment (T3). The average treatment (T1-T2) changes showed (1) the lower lip overlap on the upper incisors was reduced from 6.0 mm to 4.2 mm (P < .001), (2) the upper incisors were proclined 15.3 degrees (P < .001) and the lower incisors were proclined 9.6 degrees (P < .001), (3) the overbite was reduced from 7.3 mm to 1.7 mm (P < .001), and (4) the sagittal jaw base relationship (Wits) improved from +3.5 to +0.5 mm (P < .001). The average posttreatment (T2-T3) changes showed (1) the upper incisor-lower lip relationship remained stable, (2) the upper (0.6 degrees; P < .001) and lower (2.3 degrees; P < .001) incisors retroclined, (3) the overbite increased (1.2 mm; P < .001), and (4) the sagittal jaw base relationship remained unchanged. In conclusion, it was found that the upper incisor-lower lip relationship was improved by Herbst/multibracket appliance treatment and remained stable during a 1-year posttreatment period in spite of minor relapses of incisor tooth positions and relationships.