Evaluation of Skeletal and Dental Changes of Class II Patients after Treatment with Frankel

Frankel functional appliance is considered to be a very valuable device in the treatment of Cl II malocclusion, with the greatest skeletal effects. The aim of this study was to evaluate the dental and skeletal changes after treatment with Frankel appliance in patients with Class II malocclusion. This clinical trial was carried out on 8 patients, 9–12 years of age, with Class II skeletal and dental malocclusion. Lateral cephalometric radiographs were prepared before and after treatment. Tracings were carried out on cephalograms and the necessary measurements were made. Data were analyzed with t-test (α = 0.05). Of all the variables on the base of the skull, comparison between the group treated with Frankel appliance and control group showed that SN height increased significantly (p value = 0.006). Comparison between the two groups showed that in the maxillary complex, the decrease in SNA angle (p value = 0.04) and the increase in maxillary height (p value = 0.01) were significantly different between the two groups. In the mandible, gonial angle (p value = 0.03), SNB angle (p value = 0.001), SNBpog (p value = 0.0005), height of the ramus (p value = 0.01), base of the mandible (p value = 0.007) and length of the mandible (p value = 0.01) were significantly different between the two groups. Of all the variables created in the upper and lower jaws, the ANB angle (p value = 0.0005) was significantly different between the two groups. Of all the variables, height and relationships of facial variables, S-GO (p value = 0.01) and N-Me (p value = 0.001) were significantly different; and of all the dental relationship variables the mean changes were significantly different between the two groups (p value = 0.01). Frankel skeletal effects included prevention of maxillary forward growth and mandibular anterior movement, eliminating the mandibular deficiency and correction of the discrepancy between the two jaws. Frankel dental effects were minimum, decreasing the overjet and improving dental status in patients with class II malocclusion.