Influence of orthodontic treatment in the primary dentition upon development of the dentition and craniofacial growth.

UNLABELLED: Thirty patients who underwent orthodontic treatment of the primary dentition were examined in this retrospective follow-up study. The mean age at the beginning of treatment was 4.4 (+/= 1.1) years, and at follow-up 15.4 (+/- 1.7) years. Different kinds of malocclusion were present. RESULTS: The early treatment lasted on average 12.3 (+/- 7.2) months. Treatment time of Class III malocclusion and lateral crossbite was significantly shorter than that of Class II, 1 malocclusion, functional Class II, 2 malocclusion or anterior open bite (p < 0.05). A Class I occlusion was achieved in 90% of the patients during treatment of the primary dentition. No patient treated successfully in the primary dentition showed any relapse to initial malocclusion. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that changes in occlusion and mandibular position during treatment in the primary dentition are maintained in the mixed and permanent dentition. It can be concluded that a Class I occlusion following orthodontic treatment in the primary dentition serves as a basis for physiological development of the dentition and craniofacial growth.