Incisor stability in patients with anterior rotational mandibular growth

The aim of this study was to investigate stability and patterns of relapse tendency in 42 children in whom mandibular incisors had been proclined as part of orthodontic treatment. All patients were selected on the basis of their predicted anterior rotational mandibular growth pattern. Results were based on study casts and standardized cephalometric profile radiographs, registered before and after active treatment as well as after a postretention period. Results demonstrate the clinical acceptability of the treatment principle employed in that the majority of the treatment changes were maintained well after the cessation of retention. There was, however, a general tendency to slight crowding in the mandibular incisor region in connection with bite deepening and reduction in intercanine distance. The reliability of prediction of mandibular rotation using the morphological criteria method is discussed.