A quantitative description appraisal of the changes in overbite occurring during treatment and retention

Abstract

This study was prompted by the general lack of systematic material concerning retention. The intent was to present a quantitative, descriptive appraisal of the changes in overbite occurring during treatment and retention, and to see if any significant correlations could be made between them or measurable associated variables. To this end thirty-six cases were selected from the files of the Department of Orthodontics, Boston University School of Graduate Dentistry. Case selection was random and arbitrary; the sole criteria was the availability of complete records. These records included plaster casts, lateral cephalometric radiographs, and panorex radiographs of the patient made before treatment, at the time of appliance removal, and during a period of eighteen to twenty-four months folloiwng appliance removal. [TRUNCATED]