Evaluation of the outcomes of 7 Class II treatments 40 years later

To show that starting treatment of Class II malocclusions around the time of peak height velocity at adolescence enables the orthopedic and fixed appliance steps to be merged into a single continuous phase, leading to good outcomes with long-term stability.

Seven patients with Class II malocclusions began treatment in the mid- 1960s with cervical headgear and bite plate, followed immediately by fixed appliances. Photographs and study casts were obtained for the same 7 patients approximately 40 years later.

The stability of individual cases was considered to be good over the 40-year period. Crowding changes in the mandibular incisor region were minimal.

A two-step single-phase treatment for Cass II malocclusions during adolescence has proved to be an efficient approach throughout many years of orthodontic practice. Furthermore, by using ossification markers, the individual child's growth potential can be estimated. This knowledge leads to greater efficiency by developing a positive, purposeful, and more confident approach to the management of Class II cases.