[The distal active concept applied to the mixed dentition: a comparative study]

The "Distal Active Concept" (DAC) therapy used during the mixed dentition period shows a mandibular growth of 7.6 mm whereas the same treatment applied on the permanent dentition only shows a mandibular growth of 3.9 mm. This difference is highly significant. The DAC therapy is prescribed to a group of 30 nine years old patients with a mixed dentition for six months. The DAC therapy is prescribed to a group of 34 twelve years old patients with a permanent dentition for 24 months. As the mandibular answer to treatment seems to be more effective at the age of 9 than later, during the prepubertal period, the DAC therapy appears to be of interest and an alternative to activator treatments. Our results show the efficiency of a first stage treatment, for all the patients showing a significant class II malocclusion.