Activation of mandibular growth with the Fräenkel II device: assessment of effects on the vertical plane

Background: The aim of the study was to evaluate if a function Fräenkel II Regulator therapy can increase the vertical dimension of the cranio-facial district. Enlow's cephalometric analysis was used to measure the proportion between cranial and facial components without references to the population average. Methods: Twenty patients were selected, with dental class II, skeletal class II and mandibular hypoplasy and normal facial biotype. The patients were treated for 24 months only with Fräenkel II and the appliances was activated 2 mm every 6 months. The follow-up was of the 2 years and cephalometric tracings were made at the beginning and after therapy. Results: The results showed an increase of vertical dimension and the change of occlusal plane inclination after the therapy. This inclination compensates basal dysarmonies and increases the vertical dimension. Conclusions: The results are not statistically significant, but they underline the importance of Fräenkel's regulator function to change negative tendency growth.