Face Mask versus Carrière Motion® Class III Appliance: Comparison of Skeletal, Soft Tissue, and Dental Effects in Growing Individuals.

Objective: To compare the effects of the face mask and Carrière Motion^® III appliance in growing patients with Class III malocclusion associated with maxillary retrognathia. The null hypothesis was that both appliances, applied after rapid maxillary expansion, would have similar effects.

Methods: Skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes were evaluated using lateral cephalometric radiographs of 26 patients aged 6-9 years, taken before (T0) and after treatment (T1). Cephalometric analyses were performed using Nemoceph^® software (NEMOTEC, Madrid, Spain). Statistical analyses were carried out with MedCalc version 12.7.7 (MedCalc Software bvba, Ostend, Belgium) with significance set at p<0.05.

Results: SNA°, A-NasionPerp, and Co-A increased significantly in both groups, with no significant intergroup difference. Co-Gn, Wits, ANB°, S-N, and the articular angle also increased significantly in both groups. SNB° decreased significantly only in the Carrière Motion^® III group. Greater anterior maxillary rotation occurred with the face mask, while reduced rotation was observed with the Carrière Motion^® III. Lower facial height decreased slightly but significantly in the Carrière Motion^® III group, and increased in the face mask group. Overjet and molar relationship improved significantly in both groups. The UL-E line distance decreased in the face mask group, while the Carrière Motion^® III showed no significant soft tissue changes.

Conclusion: The null hypothesis was rejected. The two appliances had different effects; however, the Carrière Motion^® III proved effective for early Class III treatment and may be considered an alternative, particularly for patients with social concerns about extraoral traction.