Evaluation of relapse in patients treated with facemask treatment and conventional rapid maxillary expansion: a retrospective study
BMC ORAL HEALTH, cilt.26, sa.1, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Cilt numarası: 26 Sayı: 1
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1186/s12903-026-09587-7
- Dergi Adı: BMC ORAL HEALTH
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Natural Science Collection (ProQuest), Biological Science Database (ProQuest), Biomedical Reference Collection: Corporate Edition (EBSCO), Health Research Premium Collection (ProQuest), Scopus, Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Directory of Open Access Journals
- Gazi Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Abstract
Background: This retrospective study evaluates the skeletal, dental, and
soft-tissue effects of facemask treatment combined with conventional rapid
maxillary expansion in growing patients with skeletal Class III malocclusion,
assesses post-treatment relapse, and investigates sex-related differences in
treatment outcomes.
Materials and methods: This retrospective study included 33 growing patients
(18 females, 15 males) with skeletal Class III malocclusion and maxillary
deficiency treated with facemask (FM) treatment combined with conventional
rapid maxillary expansion (RME). The patients were categorized into three
groups: the Total Group, including all patients, the Female Group, and the Male
Group. Archived lateral cephalometric radiographs obtained at pre-treatment
(T0), post-treatment (T1), and at the end of the follow-up period (T2) were
analyzed. On each radiograph, 10 angular and 16 linear measurements were
performed.
Results: The mean age of the patients included in the study was 10.89
± 1.37 years. The patients’ mean treatment period (T1-T0) was 13.03 ± 4.56
months, with a mean follow-up period (T2-T1) of 17.94 ± 8.61 months.
Post-treatment, the combined use of the FM and RME significantly enhanced
maxillary development in skeletal Class III individuals and was effective in
correcting overjet, whereas overbite remained stable in females but decreased
in males. The mandibular plane angle (SN/GoGn) increased significantly during
the treatment period, while sagittal skeletal relationships (ANB, Wits)
improved significantly; however, a partial loss of treatment effects was
observed during the follow-up period. No statistically significant sex-related
differences were found in skeletal (except Co-A), dental (except 1/NB, IMPA,
and overbite), and soft-tissue measurements.
Conclusion: The partial loss of treatment effects observed after Class
III treatment suggests that mandibular growth may play an important role in
post-treatment stability. Therefore, regular follow-up until the completion of
growth and the evaluation of supportive retention approaches are clinically
important. The increase in the mandibular plane angle over time highlights the
importance of careful treatment planning, particularly in patients with
vertical growth tendencies. Sex-related differences were minimal; however,
dentoalveolar adaptations in females may have contributed to improved overbite
stability.
Key Words: Skeletal Class III, Facemask, Rapid maxillary expansion, Relapse