View article

Objective: To examine the dentofacial effects of orthodontic treatment with 1 lower incisor extraction in comparison with 4 premolar extractions.

Materials and Methods: Among 32 patients showing Class I malocclusion, 16 patients with a mean age of 22.0±4.6 years and treated with 1 lower incisor extraction were included in the first group. 16 patients with a mean age of 18.4±3.4 years and treated with 4 first premolar extractions were included in the second group. The pretreatment and post treatment lateral cephalograms were analyzed.

Results: SNGoGn angle increased in the first group, decreased in the second group and significant difference (p≤ 0.05) was found between the groups. L1-NB distance (p≤ 0.01), L1/NB (p≤ 0.01) angle and L1/MP (p≤ 0.05) angle showed significant decreases in the second group. The differences between the groups were significant for all parameters related with lower incisors. Upper and lower lips retruded in both groups.

Conclusion: Lower incisor extraction can be an alternative to 4 premolar extractions when little dental arch changes and localized treatment effects are desired.