SIMULATION OF FUNCTIONAL APPLIANCES TREATMENT EFFECTS, DESIGNED TO INCREASE PATIENT'S COMPLIANCE

Aim of the present study was creation of the treatment effect simulation model to increase patient compliance during treatment. Removable functional appliances which were used during mixed dentition required patient compliance. To obtain our goal we compare skeletal, dental and soft tissue effects of two removable functional appliance. Obtain data were used to made treatment simulation model.
Materials and methods: Sixty-four class II, growing patients were randomly divided in two groups. First group was treated with Klammt’s Elastic Open Activator and second group with Trainer. All patients have initial records (profile X-ray and right profile extraoral photo) and the same final records. AUDAX software was used to create customized cephalometric analysis for our study and all cephalometric X-ray were analyzed. Treatment effects combined with growth were estimated comparing initial and final cephalometric analysis of every patient. Using AUDAX software superimposes initial right extraoral photos over cephalometric analysis of initial X-ray to obtain better visualization. Simulation model of treatment effects was made by implementation of treatment effect data into VTO of superimposed image.
Results: Functional appliance treatment effects is combination between skeletal and dentoalveolar changes which lead to soft tissue changes.
Conclusion: Treatment results of removable appliance are limited by growth potential and patient compliance. We could increase patient compliance by using contemporary digital visualization.
Keywords: Functional appliance, patient compliance

Yana Popova

DDS, MSD, PhD, Assistant professor, Orthodontics Department, Faculty of Dental Medicine, Medical University – Sofia, Bulgaria