Management of Class II Division 1 Subdivision malocclusion using unilateral bicuspid extractions and fixed functional appliance: A Two Year Follow-Up

Introduction: Management of Class II Subdivision cases pose a clinical dilemma and require a careful diagnosis to ascertain the source of asymmetry. Various treatment modalities involving: different protocols of tooth extractions; molar distalization; fixed functional appliances or orthognathic surgery have been proposed for the same. Objective: This article reports a unique approach for management of a severe skeletal Class II with Angle’s Class II Division 1 subdivision malocclusion using unilateral bicuspid extractions in mandibular and maxillary arches and a fixed functional appliance. Results: A 13 year 1 month old male in CVMI transition stage was successfully treated. Extraction of #44 was done to alleviate crowding in the mandibular anterior region and #15 was extracted to protract #16 to achieve a Class II molar relationship. A pre-functional Class II molar and canine relationship with co-incident midlines was achieved. The functional phase consisted of a fixed functional appliance (Forsus FRD) for mandibular advancement to correct the severe skeletal Class II. Class I molar and canine relationships were achieved with reduction of facial convexity and overjet. Result remained stable 24 months after treatment. The improvement can be quantified by the reduction in scores of orthodontic indices measured pre and post treatment. Conclusions: Management of Class II subdivision malocclusion requires careful planning. This paper presents a unique approach utilizing unilateral extractions and fixed functional appliance to address severe skeletal Class II discrepancy and the subdivision dilemma.

Skeletal Class II Malocclusion Treated with AdvanSync 2 - A Case Report

Treatment of complex malocclusion poses a challenge for the orthodontist because of its multifactorial aetiology. Class II malocclusion is the most frequently encountered and treated malocclusion in orthodontic practice and affects approximately 14.6 % of the North Indian population.1 A common reason for Class II malocclusion is mandibular skeletal retrusion which is the most common characteristic, as reported by McNamara.2 This can be caused by genetic or hereditary factors. When evaluating treatment options for Class II patients, the extent of the skeletal discrepancy and the skeletal maturity of the patient needs to be considered. Treatment may range from dental compensation including camouflage with extractions to surgical procedures targeted at moving the jaw at fault. In growing patients, growth modification with functional appliances offers an intermediate treatment option. Functional appliances are basically of two types; Removable and Fixed. Removable functional appliances such as Activator, Bionator, Frankel Function regulator and Twin Block appliance change Class II relationship by the transmission of soft tissue tension to the dentition. Treatment success with these appliances relies heavily on patient compliance. Therefore, in non-compliant patients, fixed Class II correctors in conjunction with fixed orthodontic appliances are the best choice.3 Fixed functional appliances generate continuous stimuli for mandibular growth without break and permit better adaptation to functions like mastication, swallowing, speech and respiration.1 The Herbst fixed functional appliance has been used routinely for Class II patients and has undergone many design variations over time.4 The AdvanSync2 Class II corrector is a recently introduced fixed functional appliance. It has a much smaller size than the conventional Herbst appliances, is easier to place, activate and remove and most importantly, can be used in conjunction with full-arch fixed appliances throughout.3 Here we describe a case report of a patient treated with the AdvanSync2 Class II corrector and the findings observed in the sagittal and vertical dimensions

A Cephalometric Evaluation and Comparison of Skeletal, Dentoalveolar, and Soft Tissue Changes Brought about by the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device and PowerScope Fixed Functional Appliance

Background: Though studies have been conducted on the PowerScope, not many researches are available in the literature which compare its effects with other fixed functional appliances. Therefore, the aim of our study was cephalometric evaluation and comparison of the skeletal, dentoalveolar, and soft tissue changes brought about by the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device and PowerScope appliance. Materials and Methods: Pre and Posttreatment cephalometric records of 20 patients with Class II Division 1 malocclusion treated with fixed functional appliances (Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device and PowerScope) were compared. Values of various cephalometric parameters were used to evaluate the skeletal, dental, and soft tissue changes. Wilcoxon signed-rank test (intragroup comparison) and Mann–Whitney U test (intergroup) were used to see significant differences in the parameters ( P ≤ .05). Results: Both the appliances were successful in correcting the Class II discrepancy. Skeletal changes were seen significantly in both the groups, though they were more in the Forsus patients. Dentoalveolar changes were predominantly seen in PowerScope patients. Also, an improvement in soft tissue profile was seen in both the groups. Conclusion: From our study, we concluded that the PowerScope and the Forsus Fatigue Resistant Device are equally good options for the correction of skeletal Class II malocclusion due to a retrognathic mandible, as they achieve changes in all the three aspects: skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft tissue.

Fixed Functional Appliances

Considering the large number of fixed functional appliances, choosing the best device for your patient is not an easy task. To describe the development of fixed functional appliances as well as our 20-year experience working with them. Fixed functional appliances are grouped into flexible, rigid and hybrid. They are different appliances, whose action is described here. Four clinical cases will be reported with a view in illustrating the different appliances. Rigid fixed functional appliances provide better skeletal results than flexible and hybrid ones. Flexible and hybrid appliances have similar effects to those produced by class II elastics. They ultimately correct class II with dentoalveolar changes. From a biomechanical standpoint, fixed functional appliances are more recommended to treat class II in dolichofacial patients, in comparison to class II elastics. The electromyographic (EMG) activity of masticatory muscles was monitored longitudinally with chronically implanted EMG electrodes to determine whether functional appliances produce a change in postural EMG activity of the muscles. Pre-appliance and post-appliance EMG levels in four experiments that had been fitted with functional appliances were compared against the background of EMG levels in controls without appliances. The insertion of two types of functional appliance to induce mandibular protrusion was associated with a decrease in postural EMG activity of the superior and inferior heads of the lateral pterygoid, superficial masseter, and anterior digastric muscles; the decrease in the first three muscles was statistically significant. This decreased postural EMG activity persisted for approximately 6 weeks, with a gradual return towards pre-appliance levels during a subsequent 6-week period of observation. Progressive mandibular advancement of 1.5 to 2 mm every 10 to 15 days did not prevent the decrease in postural EMG activity. KEY WORDS Orthodontics, Class II Malocclusion, Fixed Functional Appliance.

Treatment effects of “PowerScope” fixed functional appliance – a clinical study

Aim: To study the skeletal, dental effects and evaluate the soft tissue changes with PowerScope-fixed functional appliance in class II malocclusion. Materials and methods: This clinical study was carried out where a total of 10 growing (CVMS 3 and 4) Class II Division 1 malocclusion patients, indicated for treatment with fixed functional appliance were allocated based on specific inclusion criteria. PowerScope (American Orthodontics) was used as the fixed functional appliance. Skeletal, dental and soft tissue effects of the appliance with various angular and linear parameters on a digital lateral cephalogram were evaluated for all 10 participants. Records were collected before the insertion of PowerScope appliance (T0) and after 5 months, during the appliance removal (T1). All participants were treated with 0.018ʺ×0.025ʺ MBT (3M Unitek) prescription. Statistical analysis was performed using a paired t-test to compare individual mean changes for each treatment category.  Results: Statistically significant changes were seen in skeletal parameters such as forward positioning of the mandible with an increase in SNB angle and N perpendicular-Pogonion distance, the class II jaw base relationship improved with reduction in ANB angle and Wits appraisal. Significant changes were observed in dental parameters such as forward positioning of mandibular incisors, maxillary molar distalization and intrusion with reduction in overbite and overjet respectively. In the soft tissue, a significant improvement in facial profile was seen due to an increase in labiomental angle. Conclusions: The results of this study have shown that statistically significant changes in skeletal, dental and soft tissue parameters

Indian Board of Orthodontics Case Report: Management of Skeletal Class II Division 1 Malocclusion With Single-Phase Fixed Orthodontic Treatment Along With Forsus FRD Fixed Functional Appliance

This case report was submitted to the board under category II for the Indian Board of Orthodontics examination in November 2017. This case report illustrated the treatment of class II division 1 malocclusion by pre-adjusted appliance along with Forsus Fatigue Resistance Device (FRD) fixed functional appliance (single-phase treatment) in a 13.6 year-old female patient whose growth was about to cease. The summary of the treatment, various records, treatment progress, and critical appraisal are reprinted here with minimal editing and reformatting, and hence, the presentation resembles the actual documents submitted to the board.

Comparative Evaluation of Discomfort, Expectations and Functional Experiences during Treatment of Class II Malocclusion with Forsus Fixed Functional Appliance and Sharma’s Class II Corrector - A Questionnaire Based Survey

BACKGROUND The Forsus fatigue resistant device (FFRD) appliance is known to correct Class II malocclusion. The disadvantage of it are labial flaring of lower incisors, distalisation and extrusion of maxillary molars, difficulty in procuring the appliances in remote areas and cost. No research has documented the comparison of patient’s experience with FFRD and Sharma’s Class II corrector appliance. Therefore, a questionnaire survey was conducted. METHODS 40 patients having Class II Division 1 malocclusion were included and were divided into two groups- FFRD appliance (group 1, 20 patients) and Sharma’s Class II corrector (group 2, 20 patients). A questionnaire was framed that consisted of 15 questions. Descriptive and analytical statistics was done using SPSS software. The difference in proportions was calculated by chi-square test. The level of significance was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS 30 % of cases in group 2 indicated that the Sharma’s Class II corrector looks good (Q1) as compared to 15 % in group 1. (P = 0.630) 5 % indicated it was not aesthetic in group 2 as compared to 10 % in group 1. 30 % of cases in group 1 indicated that there were problems associated with speech as compared to 0 % in group 2. (P < 0.05). Values were statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS Sharma’s Class II corrector has similar patient acceptance as compared to FFRD appliance with the additional benefit of cost effectiveness. Hence, this can be considered as a better option in treating Class II malocclusion with fixed therapy. KEY WORDS FFRD, Fixed Function Appliance, Economic Orthodontics, Growth Modification, Sharma’s Class II Corrector

Skeletal and dental changes induced by the Flip-Lock Herbst appliance in the treatment of Angle’s class II division 1 malocclusion during active growth period: A preliminary study

Background. The Flip-Lock Herbst (TP Orthodontics Inc.) is a fixed functional appliance, a variant of the Herbst appliance, introduced by Miller. It is claimed to have better patient tolerance due to its increased freedom for the mandible’s lateral movements. There have been no studies on the flip lock Herbst till date. This study was undertaken to assess the efficiency of the Flip-Lock Herbst appliance in correcting Angle’s class II division 1 malocclusion. Methods. Eight subjects in their active growth period with class II division 1 malocclusion due to a retrognathic mandible were included in the study. Standardized lateral cephalometric radiographs were used to evaluate skeletal and dental changes with the SO analysis. Paired samples t-test was used to assess statistical significance. Results. Statistically significant increases in mandibular length (pg/OLp) and effective mandibular length (ar/OLp + pg/OLp) were observed. There was a significant maxillary restraining effect. Dental effects were significant and exhibited class II correction features except for the position of lower incisors within the mandible (ii/OLp - pg/OLp). Skeletal changes accounted for 61% and dental changes for 39% of the total treatment for molar correction. For overjet correction, skeletal changes contributed to 63% and dental changes to 37% of the total treatment. Conclusion. The Flip-Lock Herbst appliance was efficient in correcting Angle’s class II division 1 malocclusion due to a retrognathic mandible. Both skeletal and dental changes were evident, with the former predominating (60:40).

Comparative Evaluation of Hard-Tissue and Soft-Tissue Changes following Fixed Functional Appliance Treatment in a Skeletal Class II Malocclusion Using Forsus and PowerScope

Introduction The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compare the skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft-tissue effects of 2 fixed functional appliance; Forsus Fatigue Resistance Device (FFRD) and PowerScope appliance in treating patients with skeletal class II division 1 malocclusion. Materials and Methods This comparative prospective two-group study included 20 patients with a mean age of 11.2 ± 1.6 years with skeletal class II malocclusion with retrognathic mandible. One group was treated with FFRD, and second group was treated with PowerScope appliance. Lateral cephalograms were evaluated at T1 (pre-functional appliance treatment)) and at T2 (postappliance treatment). Cephalometric values were calculated and assessed to evaluate skeletal, dentoalveolar and soft-tissue changes. Results Sagittal correction of class II malocclusion appeared to be mainly achieved by dentoalveolar changes in the PowerScope group. The FFRD was able to induce both skeletal and dentoalveolar changes. A favorable influence on facial convexity was achieved by both groups. A significant increase in upper pharynx and lower pharynx dimension was seen in the PowerScope group. A statistically significant decrease in upper lip protrusion, increase in lower lip protrusion, increased nasolabial angle, and decrease in inferior labial sulcus were noted in both the groups. Lower incisors proclined more in the PowerScope group. Conclusion Both appliances were effective in correcting class II malocclusion. Forsus had more skeletal effects on the mandible, whereas PowerScope had less skeletal effects on the mandible and more dentoalveolar effects, contributing to class II correction. Both groups showed a significant improvement in soft-tissue profile. PowerScope group showed a significant increase in airway dimensions