Short‐term soft‐ and hard‐tissue changes following Class III treatment using a removable mandibular retractor: a randomized controlled trial

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effects of a Class III functional appliance [the removable mandibular retractor (RMR)] in the early treatment of skeletal Class III deformities. SET-UP: Randomized controlled trial. SETTING: Orthodontic Department, University of Al-Baath Dental School, Hamah, Syria. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Sixty-seven skeletal Class III patients were recruited, distributed randomly into two groups: 1) treatment group (T) with the RMR: 33 patients (17 males and 16 females) with a mean age of 7.5 ± 1.33 years, 2) control group (C): 34 patients (15 males and 19 females) with a mean age of 7.3 ± 1.58 years. Lateral cephalograms were taken at the start of treatment (T1-T) or at the start of the observation period (T1-C) and after 14.5 ± 0.1 months (both groups). Soft- and hard-tissue changes in both groups were evaluated. RESULTS: The main significant findings in the treatment group were 1) anterior morphogenetic rotation of the mandible as a result of upward and forward condylar growth; 2) significant increase in maxillary length; 3) significant increase in maxillary dentoalveolar protrusion; 4) significant decrease in mandibular dentoalveolar protrusion; 5) significant protrusion of the upper lip; 6) significant retrusion of the lower lip; and 7) significant reduction in nasolabial angle. CONCLUSION: The RMR is an effective appliance in the treatment of skeletal Class III patients in the early mixed dentition in the short term.