Précis

Almost all research on AOB treatment and stability is from retrospective case series. Therefore, this study had tremendous potential to provide practitioners with stronger evidence about AOB treatment outcomes and stability for adults. It also provided information about retention outcomes. Additionally, the gathering of patient-reported data about the decision to pursue a specific treatment option and patient satisfaction after treatment was extremely valuable.

This was a prospective, observational 3.5 year cohort study of approximately 840 adult patients in active orthodontic treatment for AOB who expected to have treatment completed within 24 months of enrollment into the study from approximately 210 National Dental PBRN orthodontists or dentists who routinely performed orthodontic treatment.

The primary objective was to estimate the proportion of patients 1) treated successfully (determined at the end of active treatment), and 2) whose treatment was stable (determined at one year post-active treatment).

The primary outcome measure to determine success of treatment was overbite at the end of treatment, and the primary measure to determine the stability of treatment ascertained one year after removal of orthodontic appliances was the overbite measurement.