Original Research

Comparative Assessment of Efficacy, Treatment Duration & Patient’s Acceptance for the T4K Trainer and Conventional Twin Block Appliance: A RCT

Year: 2025

Volume: 10

Issue: 1

Pages: 1–15

Authors

Arpitha K.R¹, Priya Nagar², Sonali B.R³, Swapna Bhat⁴

Author Affiliations

¹ PG Student, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India

² Professor & HOD, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India

³ PG Student, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India

⁴ PG Student, Department of Pediatric Dentistry, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India

Corresponding Author

Dr. Arpitha K R

PG Student, Krishnadevaraya College of Dental Sciences, Bangalore, India

Email: arpithak6@gmail.com

Abstract

Background: Cass II malocclusion is the most prevalent in mixed dentition, which can be corrected by functional appliances or fixed orthodontics. Trainer for Kids a pre-fabricated functional appliance made of polyurethane, designed with different elements to stimulate the facial, masticatory& tongue muscles.

Aim: To evaluate the dentoalveolar effects of the myofunctional trainer T4K versus twin block in children with class II malocclusion.

Methods: Two parallel arm randomized comparative clinical trial was conducted, including 10 children, 9–14 years old, were assigned into 2 groups T4k and twin block. Follow-up was done every 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks. Postoperative cephalometric X-ray, study casts and photographs were taken for measurements and comparison. A Google survey form was utilised to gather treatment experiences and demographic information for the "Acceptance of Orthodontic Appliance Scale" (AOAS) & ease of usage of the appliance.

Results: T4K showed a statistically significant reduction in overjet and a significant increase in the lower arch perimeter (LAP). The twin block appliance demonstrated a statistically significant reduction in overjet, a significant reduction in overbite, and a significant increase in LAP. Both groups showed significant dentoalveolar improvements toward Class I occlusion; however, the twin block appliance showed significantly better results than the T4K appliance. Appliance acceptance immediately after treatment revealed that youngsters were more receptive to the T4K appliance (90.2%) than to the traditional twin block appliance (69.4%); however, the difference was not statistically significant.

Conclusion: Both appliances achieved significant improvement in the anteroposterior inter-arch relationship in developing class II division I patients. Twin block appliance showed significant improvement in the vertical inter-arch relationship with significant decreases in overbite, but on the other hand the T4K showed an increase in the overbite results

Keywords

T4K, Twin Block, Malocclusion, Orthodontic appliances

How to Cite This Article

Arpitha et al, Comparative assessment of efficacy, treatment duration & patient’s acceptance for the T4k trainer and conventional twin block appliance. Int J Pedo Rehab 2025; 10(1):1-15. https://doi.org/10.56501/intjpedorehab.v10i1.1209