Clear aligners for Class II correction in growing patients: elastics vs mandibular advancement

To evaluate the skeletal and dental effects of Class II correction in growing patients using clear aligners, with either elastics or mandibular advancement (MA).

The study included 66 growing Class II patients: 45 patients treated with clear aligners (20 using Class II elastics and 25 with MA) and 21 untreated controls observed over a comparable time period. Nine cephalometric and three study cast measurements were evaluated initially (T1) and the end of treatment (T2) to assess skeletal and dental changes.

The control group maintained a Class II molar relationship and overjet, whereas both treatment groups corrected to Class I. In the MA group, statistically significant skeletal changes from T1 to T2 were observed, including reduction in SNA (-1.09°) and ANB (-1.69°), in addition to dentoalveolar Class II correction. The elastic group showed no statistically significant changes in SNA and ANB compared to the control group. Linear regression revealed 5.28° of lower incisor proclination with Class II elastics, whereas lower incisor inclination was maintained with MA treatment.

Clear aligner treatment with Class II elastics and MA were effective for correcting Class II malocclusion in growing patients that would have otherwise been maintained without intervention. Although Class II correction was mainly due to dentoalveolar changes, a skeletal component was observed with MA treatment.