Longitudinal assessment of vertical and sagittal control in the mandibular arch by the mandibular fixed lingual arch.

The purpose of this investigation was to determine and quantify vertical changes in the position of the mandibular molars while maintaining arch perimeter with a fixed lingual arch. Twenty-three patients with a mean age of 10.4 +/- 0.6 years were selected to receive fixed lingual arch treatment as the only appliance in the mandibular arch. Average treatment time was 18.3 +/-+/- 0.6 months. Longitudinal records for 12 and 24 months of 24 individuals matched by ethnic origin, age, gender, and mandibular plane inclination were used as controls. Pretreatment and posttreatment cephalograms were used to determine positional changes. Statistically significant differences between the fixed lingual arch and control groups were found. The results of this investigation indicated that the mandibular fixed lingual arch is a useful tool to control the vertical development of the mandibular molars.