Comparison of the efficiency of RME and alt-ramec procedures in face-mask treatment

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue changes of RME and Alt-RAMEC protocol addition to face-mask treatment in skeletal Class III patients and evaluate the treatment effects according to the intraoral appliance of RME and Alt-RAMEC protocol addition face-mask treatment groups. Method: This retrospective study consisted of a total 104 individuals with skeletal Class III anomalies with maxillary retrognathia. Facemask group includes 25 individuals (10,31 years), facemask with RME group includes 37 (11,58 years), facemask with Alt-RAMEC group includes 42 individuals (11,99 years). In the facemask group, force was applied with an occlusal coverage acrylic plate without expansion screw. In groups with RME and Alt-RAMEC protocol, Fullcap splint type or Spolyar type RME appliance was used as an intraoral appliance. For the statistical analyses; paired sample t-test was used for the treatment changes in the groups, independent sample t-test and one way ANOVA was used for the changes between the groups. Results: Compared to treatment types; statistically significant increases in Co-A (mm), ANBo, A6-MdVRD (mm), Li-HRD(mm) parameters were mostly observed in the Alt-RAMEC group, while statistically significant changes in U1i-NA(mm), U1i/PPo, L1i-(A-Pg)(mm), UL-S(mm) parameters were mostly found in the YM group (p<0,05). According to the appliance groups, statistically significant difference was observed between the groups only in the upper incisor angles in the RME group. In the Alt-RAMEC group, the changes in U1/A1o, UD-S (mm), AD-S (mm) and upper incisor parameters were found statistically significant between the groups (p<0.05). Conclusion: In all treatment groups, maxillary protraction was successfully achieved, maxillo-mandibular relationships were corrected. In the Spolyar type appliance group upper incisors retruded but in the Fullcap splint type group they were protruded.