Cephalometric Evaluation of Dental and Skeletal Changes in the Vertical Dimension During the First Stage of Treatment using Preadjusted Brackets and the MBT Technique

Statement of Problem: Some vertical changes might be observed during the first stage of orthodontic treatment, aligning and leveling. Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate dental and/or skeletal vertical changes occurring in the first stage of preadjusted orthodontic treatment. Materials and Methods: Fourteen patients with an average age of 14.1 years were selected for this study. Preadjusted appliances were used and a lateral cephalogram was taken, subsequently. All patients were treated with four first premolar extractions. After 8 weeks of aligning and leveling, a second cephalogram was obtained. Results: No statistically significant changes including extrusion of all teeth except maxillary incisors were observed during this phase. Skeletal vertical changes also showed a slight non-significant decrease. Conclusion: The results of this study showed minimal vertical changes during the first stage of fixed orthodontic treatment with preadjusted appliances; therefore use of such appliances in patients with a tendency towards increased vertical dimensions could be justified.