Effectiveness of Elastodontic Devices for Correcting Sagittal Malocclusions in Mixed Dentition Patients: A Scoping Review

Abstract

Elastodontics is an interceptive orthodontic therapy that uses light and biological elastic forces through preformed or custom-made removable orthodontic appliances. This study aims to evaluate the effects of elastodontic devices on correcting sagittal discrepancies in growing subjects with mixed dentition. Electronic research was conducted on four databases: PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science. Data were extracted based on the first author, year of publication, setting and country, study design, sample characteristics, sample size calculation, type of malocclusion, intervention, control group type, compliance, follow-up, and cephalometric measurements. Sixteen studies were included in the final review. Most studies observed a statistically significant reduction (p < 0.05) in SNB and ANB angles. Ten studies reported a reduction in overjet, while eight studies found no change in facial divergence. Comparisons with conventional functional devices revealed no consensus on the skeletal and dentoalveolar effects. Elastodontic appliances significantly improve cephalometric and dentoalveolar parameters, potentially correcting skeletal and dental relationships. However, result variability and unclear advantages over traditional appliances highlight the need for further research.

Keywords

• interceptive orthodontics
• malocclusion
• myofunctional therapy
• elastodontic devices
• mixed dentition