Assessment of crowding with a self-ligating system in a non-extraction therapy. A clinical approach.

Patients (n=22) with severe crowding in the upper as well as in the lower jaw before the treatment were treated with the Damon®-System (D3, Ormco, Orange, CA) without performing any extractions or approximal enamel reduction to evaluate the three dimensional tooth changes.

22 patients (14 female, 8 male) were examined by 2 experienced orthodontists. The obtained digital models were analyzed with the OrthoProof® software (Nieuwegein, Nederland) determining 72 parameters in the upper arch and 67 parameters in the lower arch to investigate the three dimensional tooth movements. Furthermore the patients´ lateral cephalograms were investigated with the Onyx Ceph® software (Chemnitz, Germany) analyzing 28 cephalometric parameters. With all gained data superimpositions were made for the graphical representation of the occurred changes regarding the dental arch and the cephalometric tracing. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS15.0 software package.

A strong inter rater correlation was found between measurements of both examiners (p
Non extraction therapy with the Damon® -System was effective within biological limits and with positive effects on the soft tissues.