A comparative assessment of the BioBiteCorrector® and Herbst appliances combined with fixed appliances in class II patients: A retrospective cohort study on PAR and IOTN indices.

PURPOSE: The BioBiteCorrector® (BBC) appliance was introduced as a further development of the Herbst appliance; however, there is no research comparing their treatment outcomes.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

Caucasian healthy patients with at least 5mm overjet were included and treated with either Herbst or BBC, both combined with fixed appliances, by one experienced orthodontist at a private practice in Switzerland. Treatment effectiveness was evaluated in terms of occlusal outcomes via the Peer Assessment Rating (PAR) and Index of Orthodontic Treatment Need (IOTN) indices, for which groups were matched at baseline. Data collection took place before bonding and after debonding and data was statistically analyzed with linear/logistic regressions at 5%.

RESULTS

Each group was comprised of 58 patients. Patient and treatment related characteristics did not demonstrate any clinically relevant differences at baseline. The overall treatment duration was 19.3±5.3 and 22.9±5.7 months for the Herbst and BBC respectively (P<0.001). The main outcomes of absolute PAR reduction, % PAR reduction, PAR improvement, or great PAR improvement were not statistically significant between groups (P>0.05 in all instances); however, patients treated with Herbst had slightly worse overall IOTN scores (P<0.03). The findings did not significantly change after controlling for confounders.

CONCLUSION

Both Herbst and BBC appeared to be equally effective in improving class II malocclusion, yet the BBC appliance led to slightly longer overall treatment duration.