Fixed functional appliances show definite skeletal and dental changes in the short term

Abstract

Summary A meta-analysis of the literature on fixed functional appliances found nine unique data sets (n = 418 patients, mean age = 13.2 years) that fulfilled the criteria. Small but statistically significant changes in SNA, SNB, and ANB occurred, with larger changes in the incisor angulations. The results are compared with a previous meta-analysis on the effects of removable functional appliances by the same team and discussed in regard to their implications for clinical practice.