Treatment efficiency of activator and skeletal anchored Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device appliances

The aim of the study was to investigate the treatment efficiency of miniplate anchored Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device (MAF) as compared with the activator appliance.

Mandibular retrognathia was treated with two methods, the MAF group (8 girls, 11 boys, mean age 13.03 ± 0.69 years) and the activator group (7 girls, 12 boys, mean age 12.68 ± 0.73 years). An untreated control group (9 girls, 10 boys, mean age 12.95 ± 0.73 years) was constructed to eliminate growth-related changes through the American Association of Orthodontists Foundation Legacy Collection. Data of 114 lateral cephalograms were analyzed.

The inhibition of the maxillary growth was greater in the MAF group, whereas forward displacement of the mandible was higher in the activator group (P < 0.05). Sagittal maxillomandibular relation was improved similarly in both treatment groups (P < 0.05). Mandibular length was increased in both treatment groups with the highest increase in the activator group (P < 0.05). Retroclination of the incisors was observed in the MAF group (P < 0.05). The upper lip was retruded in the MAF group and lower lip was protruded in the activator group (P < 0.05).

The activator created greater mandibular changes, whereas the MAF provides somewhat smaller mandibular changes due to the restriction caused by retroclined maxillary incisors.

Although both MAF and activator treatments caused favorable maxillomandibular changes, new treatment alternatives that reduce dentoalveolar side effects and eliminate patient cooperation are still required to achieve skeletal correction in class II malocclusion treatment in growing patients.