Search

Background: The preference for the functional appliances to treat Class II and Class III malocclusions by orthodontists in Colombia and their reasons to select them is not well established, yet. Purpose: To compare the preferences in the use of functional appliances to treat Class II and Class III malocclusions between an orthodontic graduate program and the orthodontist members of the Colombian Society of Orthodontists (CSO) and to evaluate the association between the indicated functional appliance and the diagnostic and demographic characteristics of the patients in the orthodontic program. Methods: In this cross-sectional study were reviewed 565 clinical records of the orthodontic graduate program and the survey of 180 members of the CSO. Chi square and t test at a level of significance P < 0.05 were used to compare both groups. Results: the most frequently functional appliance used to treat Class II malocclusion in the orthodontic graduate program was Simoes Network (55, 42%) and to treat Class III was the Lazaro (28, 95%). CSO members preferred Planas indirect tracks (32,78%) to treat Class II and Facial Mask (62,22%) to treat Class III. Statistically significant differences (P < 0, 05) in the use preference of functional appliances between the orthodontic graduate program and the orthodontist from the CSO were found. Conclusions: The results suggest that the selection of functional appliances to treat Class II and Class III malocclusions is not only guided by the malocclusion but by the orthodontist's academic background and individual preferences as well. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]