Original Research

Year : 2025 | Volume : 16 | Issue : 4 | Page : 77-90

A Comparison of Cervical Spine Postural Changes following Fixed and Removable Functional Appliance Therapy in Growing Class II Subjects

Bhargavi Ganesan1, Vignesh Kailasam2, Sridevi Padmanabhan3

1-Post Graduate Resident, 2-Professor, 3-Professor and Head,  Associate Dean Research, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopedics, Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER), Chennai, 600116, India

Address for Correspondence:

Dr. Vignesh Kailasam

Professor and Head, Department of Orthodontics and Dentofacial Orthopaedics,

Sri Ramachandra Institute of Higher Education and Research (SRIHER)

Chennai, 600116, India

Email: vignesh.k@sriramachandra.edu.in

ABSTRACT     

Introduction: The objective was to compare the cervical spine postural changes after treatment with fixed and removable functional appliances.

Methods and Analysis: A retrospective study with pre and post lateral cephalograms of 60 patients was planned. They were divided into three groups- fixed functional appliance, removable functional appliance and a control group which involved camouflage mechanics. Cervical spine posture and airway were assessed. The craniocervical angulation changes were correlated to changes in ANB, mandibular parameters and airway.

Results: Amongst the cervical spine postural variables, only the sella-nasion to odontoid process tangent (SN-OPT) showed significant changes (Twin block/control, p=0.041). Removable and fixed functional appliances brought about a reduction in the SN-OPT. However, this was not statistically significant (Herbst/control=0.184; Herbst/Twin block, p=0.761). Control group revealed an increase in the SN-OPT and this difference was significant between Twin block and control group (p=0.041). There were significant variations in the SNB (p=0.000) and ANB (Herbst/control, p=0.003; Twin block/control, p=0.001) between both Herbst and Twin block groups when compared with control group. However, there were no significant differences between the Herbst and Twin block groups (SNB, p=0.333;ANB,p=0.974). There were no significant differences in the mandibular length and the mandibular plane angle between the three groups (mandibular length, p=0.206; mandibular plane angle, p=0.788). Changes in superior, middle and inferior pharyngeal airway were not significantly different between the three groups (p=.537; p=.354; p=.110 respectively).

Conclusion: The functional appliances did not affect significant changes in the cervical spine posture. There were no significant differences between fixed and removable functional appliances.
Keywords: Cervical spine posture; Orthodontic appliances; Fixed functional appliances; Removable functional appliances.

FUNDING STATEMENT

This research received no specific grant from any funding agency in the public, commercial or not-for-profit sectors.

COMPETING INTERESTS

No competing interests

RESEARCH ETHICAL APPROVAL

Ethical approval from the Institutional Ethics Committee was obtained. CSP/20/OCT/86/172

How to cite this article: Bhargavi Ganesan, Vignesh Kailasam, Sridevi Padmanabhan. A Comparison of Cervical Spine Postural Changes following Fixed and Removable Functional Appliance Therapy in Growing Class II Subjects. Int J Orthod Rehabil 2025; 16 (4): 77-90.