Abstract:
PROPOSITION: The aim of this study was to compare changes in WALA ridge and mandibular dental arch dimensions with conventional and self-ligating appliances. MATERIAL AND METHODS: initial (T1) and final (T2) dental casts of 60 patients with Class I malocclusion treated nonextraction, with slight to moderate crowding, were divided into two groups. Group 1: 30 patients treated with self-ligating Damon appliances, at a mean initial age of 17.68 years and mean treatment time of 2.31 years. Group 2: 30 patients treated with conventional appliances, at a mean initial age of 19.23 years and mean treatment time of 2.56 years. Measurements were taken using a digital micrometer caliper directly on the cast models for the pre and pos treatment to evaluate the transversal dimension behavior of the inferior dental arch and the WALA ridge width. Intragroup comparison was performed with dependent t test and intergroup comparison, with independent t test. RESULTS: In intergroup comparison of treatment changes (T2-T1) the Damon group presented an increase in WALA ridge width and mandibular transversal dimensions significantly greater than the conventional group, with the exception of intercuspid distances of molars (PC 6X6) and WALA ridge in the region adjacent to the canines (BW 3X3) , where there was no statistically significant difference between groups. It was also observed a significantly greater increase of the transversal dimensions through the facial axis point (EV) in the premolar area when compared to the WALA ridge increased in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: The treatment with the Damon appliance resulted in a significantly greater increase of the WALA ridge width and mandibular arch dimensions when compared to conventional appliance.
