Orthopedic effects of splint high-pull headgear—A cephalometric appraisal

ObjectiveThe purpose of this study was to investigate the orthopedic effect of maxillary splint high-pull head gear appliance on maxillary complex.DesignRetrospective study.SettingsPatients under treatment in the Department of Orthodontics, Azad University, during one year period from November 2003 to March 2004.SubjectsLateral cephalometric radiograph of 26 patients (11 boys and 15 girls, with a mean age of 11.3 years) treated with splint high-pull headgear appliance was compared with a similar control group of 26 individuals (11 boys and 15 girls with a mean age of 12.6 years).Main outcome measuresThe result of the present study showed that the treated group more closely approximated Class I cephalometric values after treatment, whereas the control group with a Class II skeletal pattern did not necessarily become “less Class II” due to growth.ResultsPoint A was held efficiently in the treated group (S–A = 0.4 mm) whereas in the control group it had relocated downward and forward 2.00 mm along sella–point A (S–A) line. Also, the relocation of the point A in the horizontal (X-axis) and vertical (Y-axis) planes confirmed these findings. No rotational changes of palatal plane were recorded in the treated group. Mandibular skeletal changes were similar to the control group. Maxillary dentition was relocated more posteriorly.ConclusionsIt was concluded that the maxillary splint with high-pull headgear in the present study held the maxilla in position without any rotational changes of the palatal plane. Therefore, a normal skeletal relationship was achieved in the treated group through a combination of maxillary basal bone and dentoalveolar growth inhibition and a normal expression of mandibular growth.