[Are extraoral forces justified in the early treatment of Class II malocclusions?]

First phase class II early treatments are able to restore a correct growth. DAC (Distal Active Concept) is an early fixed treatment using class II elastics, coils and springs. The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate short and long term dental and skeletal effects of head-gear applied on upper first molars associated to class II elastics and to compare our results to a sample treated with early DAC. Headgear group included 37 subjects. DAC group included 100 subjects. Cephalometric values came from Pancherz's and Tweed's analysis. Lateral head-films were analysed at t1 (before early active treatment), at t1' (after early active treatment) and at t2 (before second stage in permanent dentition). T-tests were performed to compare the groups. Results were quite similar for these two types of treatment showing nevertheless greater mandibular answer in DAC group. Only a prospective randomised study would be able to precise these observations.