Efficiency of class III malocclusion treatment with 2-premolar extraction and molar distalization protocols.

INTRODUCTION: Different treatment protocols have been implemented for management of Class III malocclusion with aim of achieving ideal occlusal goals. The aim of current study was to compare the efficiency of Class III treatment with mandibular 2-premolar extraction and mandibular molar distalization protocol. METHODS: This retrospective cross sectional study was conducted on pre-treatment and post-treatment dental casts of 60 orthodontic patients who had Class III malocclusion and were treated with a mandibular dentition distalization and mandibular 2-premolars extraction protocol. The study was conducted at orthodontic departments of Dental Section, Faisalabad Medical University/Punjab Medical College and de'Montmorency College of Dentistry, Pakistan. The sample was classified into 2 groups. Group A consisted of 30 patients (20 females, 10 males) (mean age, 18.02years) treated with distalization protocol and Group B consisted of 30 patients (18 females, 12 males) (mean age, 18.97years) treated with mandibular 2-premolars extraction protocol. To compare the efficiency of the treatment protocol in each group, the initial and final occlusal results were assessed on dental models using PAR index while treatment efficiency was assessed using a treatment efficiency index (TX). The groups were compared with t and Mann-Whitney tests. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the initial age, treatment time, treatment efficiency and any occlusal feature between the groups. CONCLUSION: Treatment efficiency of Class III malocclusions with mandibular 2-premolar extractions or mandibular dentition distalization protocol is similar.