The aims of this project were to evaluate whether early orthodontic treatment with the Twin-block appliance for the developing Class II Division 1 malocclusion resulted in any psychosocial benefits. This multicenter trial was carried out in the United Kingdom, with 174 children aged 8 to 10 years with Class II Division 1 malocclusions randomly allocated to receive treatment with Twin-block appliances or to an untreated control group. Data were collected at the start of the study and 15 months later. Results showed that early treatment with Twin-block appliances resulted in an increase in self-concept and a reduction of negative social experiences. The subjects also reported treatment benefits that could be related to improved self-esteem. Further research is needed to determine the extent to which these effects translate into social behavior and experiences.
The repeatability of digital models compared with plaster models is satisfactory for clinical applications, although this study demonstrated some systematic differences. Digital study models can therefore be considered for use as an adjunct to clinical assessment of the occlusion, but as yet may not supersede current methods for scientific purposes.
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