Table 1.
The search algorithms used in the literature search according to each database.
Table 2.
Inclusion and exclusion criteria used in the present review.
Fig 1.
Flow diagram of the search strategy.
Table 3.
Studies excluded after full text consideration with corresponding main reason of exclusion.
Table 4.
Studies that could not be retrieved for full text analysis.
Table 5.
Protocols of the studies included in the present systematic review.
Table 6.
Treatment effects in the studies included in the present systematic review.
Table 7.
Risk of bias for the randomised clinical trials according to the Cochrane tool.
Table 8.
Risk of bias for the controlled clinical trials according to the modified Downs and Black tool.
Table 9.
Results of the sensitivity analyses for each of the included parameter according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 2.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in total mandibular length according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 3.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in mandibular ramus height according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 4.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in composite mandibular length (Pancherz analysis) according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 5.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in mandibular base (Pancherz analysis) according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 6.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in SNA angle according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 7.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in SNB angle according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 8.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in ANB angle according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 9.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in maxillary base (Pancherz analysis) according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 10.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in facial divergence according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Fig 11.
Forest plots for the annualised changes in mandibular incisor proclination according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Table 10.
The p values of the Egger regression intercept test and Begg and Mazumdar rank correlation test on the on the publication bias analyses for each of the included parameter according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Table 11.
The cephalometric measurements that were pooled for the meta-analyses.
Table 12.
The 95% Prediction intervals for each of the included parameter according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.
Table 13.
The GRADE assessment for each of the primary outcomes, according to the pre-pubertal and pubertal subgroups.