The conversion of vertical growth to horizontal. A prospective pilot study of twelve consecutive patients treated by...

Vertical growth may be a disadvantage for both facial appearance and long term dental stability. This paper reports a pilot study comparing the direction of facial growth following treatment by either fixed retractive appliances or by removable 'Orthotropic' appliances designed to reduce vertical growth. To meet ethical objections two different operators each treated a consecutive series of six patients with overjets exceeding ten millimeters. The resultant mean growth direction at Gnathion for the fixed retraction group was 67 degrees while in the Biobloc group it was 46 degrees.