PubMed Health⌕ Search
Home/Archive/PubMed

PubMed · 3855608

Activator headgear therapy.

R I Levin
View original source ↗Export metadata ↓

Abstract

A method of treatment is described using an activator and cervical headgear simultaneously to correct malocclusions of the Class II, Division 1 type. The case reports of ten treated patients are used to demonstrate the effects of the application of this technique. Changes in the dentition and facial skeleton were analyzed and the significance of the different responses to the application of the same appliances assessed. The hypothesis proposing that a simultaneous application of both appliances may result in a number of desirable effects greater than that induced by each individual appliance is examined. The hypothetical basis for the application of this technique is partially substantiated by the clinical observations. Within a period of about 1 year, correction of the Class II molar occlusion to a Class I molar occlusion is obtained, with a simultaneous reduction of overbite and overjet. Skeletal changes were found to be variable and related to facial type and the rate of facial growth. Brachyfacial and mesofacial types responded most favorably to treatment. The most favorable effects were observed when there was a large quantitative mandibular growth and brachyfacial or mesofacial growth pattern. In dolichofacial types with a slow mandibular growth rate, mandibular rotation was found to be clockwise; cervical traction appears contraindicated, and a combination of activator with occipital medium to high pull is considered more appropriate.

Explore related subjects

Activator AppliancesAdolescentCephalometryEquipment DesignExtraoral Traction AppliancesFemaleHumansMaleMalocclusionMalocclusion, Angle Class IIMaxillofacial DevelopmentOrthodontic Appliances, RemovableRotationTooth EruptionTooth Movement TechniquesJournal Article

Keep this discovery

Explore connections, maps & timelines

BibTeXRIS

R I Levin. 1985. Activator headgear therapy.. https://doi.org/10.1016/0002-9416(85)90019-3

Cite the original work for its findings. Save a collection to share your selection of sources.

KEEP EXPLORING

Related citations

PubMed2007

Effects of treatment with a combined maxillary protraction and chincap appliance in skeletal Class III patients with different vertical skeletal morphologies.

Several cephalometric studies and case reports have described the effects of treatment with a maxillary protraction appliance (MPA) and chincap appliance. The purpose of this investigation was to identify differences in the response to treatment with a combined MPA and chincap in skeletal Class III patients with different vertical skeletal morphologies: short- (low mandibular plane angle) and long- (high mandibular plane angle) face types. The cephalograms used in this study were of 42 Japanese girls at the beginning of treatment (T0, mean age 10.1 years) and at removal of the appliance (T1, mean age 11.5 years). The subjects were divided into two groups (short and long face) according to the inclination of the mandibular plane at T0. Total anterior face height, upper and lower face height, occlusal plane, and gonial angle were significantly larger in the long-face group at T0. In both groups, significant increases in SNA, maxillary size (A'-Ptm'), and ANB were noted during treatment. Compared with the long-face group, the short-face group showed greater forward displacement and size increment of the maxillary body, while there were no significant differences in changes in mandibular size or position between the two groups. These results indicate that the vertical dimensions of the craniofacial skeleton are important factors in the orthopaedic effects of a MPA and chincap and the prognosis for skeletal Class III patients.

Activator Appliances↗
PubMed2007

Dentoskeletal effects and "effective" temporomandibular joint, maxilla and chin changes in good and bad responders to van Beek activator treatment.

OBJECTIVE: To assess possible differences in dentoskeletal effects and "effective" temporomandibular joint, maxilla, and chin changes between good and bad responders to van Beek activator treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The subject material consisted of 20 consecutive normodivergent male Class II division 1 patients treated with a van Beek activator. Because of insufficient cooperation, four patients were excluded. Lateral head films were taken 6 months before treatment, at start of treatment, and after 12 months of treatment. The patients were placed into a good responder group (successful, n = 8) and a bad responder group (unsuccessful, n = 8). An overjet reduction > or =4 mm was considered successful. RESULTS: During the van Beek treatment period, the good responders showed a significantly larger improvement in overjet and molar relationship than did the bad responders. The good responders exhibited a significant posterior development of condylion, less anterior mandibular autorotation, retrusion of upper incisors, protrusion of lower incisors, distalization of maxillary molars, and a mesial movement of mandibular molars. No significant dental movements were seen in the bad responders. CONCLUSIONS: Although van Beek activator treatment affected the direction of condylar growth, as well as the direction of maxilla and chin changes, it can be concluded that skeletal changes did not contribute to the Class II correction. Instead, overjet reduction during van Beek activator treatment was found to be due to a favorable dental reaction.

Activator Appliances↗
PubMed2006

A systematic review of cephalometric facial soft tissue changes with the Activator and Bionator appliances in Class II division 1 subjects.

The objective of the present systematic review was to evaluate, through lateral cephalograms, facial soft tissue changes after the use of the Activator and Bionator appliances in Class II division 1 malocclusion subjects. Several electronic databases (PubMed, Medline, Medline In-Process and Other Non-Indexed Citations, Cochrane Database, Embase, Web of Sciences, and Lilacs) were searched with the assistance of a senior health sciences librarian. Abstracts, which appeared to fulfil the initial criteria, were selected by consensus. The original articles were then retrieved. Their references were also hand searched for possible missing articles. Clinical trials, which assessed facial soft tissue changes with the use of either an Activator or a Bionator appliance without any surgical intervention or syndromic characteristics, were considered. A comparable untreated control group was required to factor out normal growth changes. Five articles using the Activator and six using the Bionator fulfilled the selection criteria and quantified facial soft tissue changes. An individual analysis of these articles was undertaken and some methodological flaws were identified. Based on the available evidence, a significant amount of controversy regarding the soft tissue changes produced by the Activator and the Bionator exists. Soft tissue changes that were reported as being statistically significant were of questionable clinical significance. Long-term, double-blinded, prospective randomized clinical trials are needed to confirm the findings. Three-dimensional quantification is also required to overcome current limitations in our understanding of the soft tissue changes obtained with the use of removable functional appliances.

Activator Appliances↗