Effects of headgear timing on dental arch changes from 7 to 18 years of age: a follow-up study.

Background: Dental arch effects after cervical headgear (CHG) treatment have been researched from several different perspectives. However, the long-term effects of CHG timing are still unknown.

Objectives: To analyse the long-term effects of CHG timing on dental arches.

Material and methods: A total of 67 children with Angle Class II malocclusion comprised the study group in this trial. The participants were randomized into two equal-sized groups. In the early group (EG, n = 33), treatment was started after the eruption of the first upper molars. In the later-timed group (LG, n = 34), treatment was started 18 months later compared with the early group. Long-term effects were measured from dental casts taken at five time points between 7 and 18 years of age.

Results: The total maxillary dental arch length was achieved earlier, the gained length persisted better in the long term, and significantly more space was achieved in EG compared with LG (P = .048). The intermolar width in the maxillary dental arch was more stable and was reached earlier in EG compared with LG (P = .002). The results showed that in terms of total mandibular arch length increases, EG males benefited the most and LG females the least from CHG treatment (P = .031).

Conclusions: Both genders benefited from earlier CHG treatment. The maxillary dental arches remained longer, and the final width was gained earlier in EG compared with LG.