A Removable Class III Traction Appliance for Early Class III Treatment

Maxillary, mandibular, and dental effects resulting from the use of a removable intraoral Class III traction appliance as well as the protraction facemask in treatment of Class III malocclusion were assessed. This is a retrospective study comparing measurements from pre-treatment and post-treatment lateral cephalometric radiographs of two groups. Group 1 consisted of 25 patients treated with rapid palatal expansion followed by a removable intraoral Class III traction appliance. Group 2 consisted of 25 patients treated with rapid palatal expansion followed by a protraction facemask. The subjects were Caucasian, both male and female, with an age range of 3 to 12 years. The only significant differences were in length of treatment time and the skeletal change of angle SNA. The mean treatment times were 6.96 months and 10.96 months in the removable Class III traction appliance and protraction facemask groups, respectively. The mean increase in SNA was 0.46 degrees in the removable Class III traction appliance group and 1.81 degrees in the protraction facemask group. A removable Class III traction appliance provides orthodontists with another useful Class III treatment modality.

Molar Intrusion using TADs in the Management of an Anterior Open Bite: A Case Report

The prevalence of an anterior open bite ranges in the literature from 1.5% to 11%, with great racial variance. Stable non-surgical treatment of an anterior open bite is notoriously unpredictable, with a high risk of relapse and an uncertainty of true skeletal change. Temporary anchorage devices (TADs) are increasingly used to enhance and simplify orthodontic biomechanics, enabling clinicians to push the boundaries of orthodontic treatment. In anterior open bite cases, TADs may be used predictably for molar intrusion and improvement of the overbite. We describe a 16-year-old male with a Class I incisal relationship on a skeletal I base and increased vertical proportions, complicated by a 4-mm anterior open bite secondary to a previous digit sucking habit. Treatment involved fixed orthodontic appliances on an extraction basis, and molar intrusion using TADs. TADs provide a safe and effective alternative to reducing an anterior bite in a patient whose growth is complete. CPD/Clinical Relevance: Understanding the options for the treatment of an anterior open bite and the limits of orthodontic camouflage will help clinicians provide their patients with the necessary information with which to make informed decisions.

Two-Phase Treatment of a Growing Patient with a Skeletal Class II

ABSTRACT Functional appliances have been used for many years in the treatment of class II malocclusions. They redirect the growth of mandible bringing about a skeletal change in a growing patient. In case of any remaining dental discrepancy, a fixed appliance is obligatory. This patient was an 11-year-old growing female with a convex profile, receding chin, lower lip trap, class II skeletal and dental relationship, a large overjet and overbite and a high maxillary labial frenum attachment. Treatment started with the Twin-block appliance with an expansion screw to achieve transverse correction, promote growth of the mandible and improve her profile. This was followed by fixed appliance mechanotherapy to align and level the dentition, close spaces and retract the maxillary anteriors. Frenectomy was carried out after space closure. How to cite this article Sonawane MS, Karandikar GR, Gaikwad SS, Pawar PA, Shah SS. Two-Phase Treatment of a Growing Patient with a Skeletal Class II. J Contemp Dent 2013;3(1):40-43.

How Orthodontic Functional Appliances Work

Orthodontic functional appliances are an essential part of an orthodontist's armamentarium. The amount of their use varies greatly, some feeling they have limited use with minor effects, others claiming dramatic changes in facial growth and appearance, without significant genetic constraints. The evidence on clinical use is not equivocal, the general results however not showing an unlimited amount of skeletal change, but rather a balance of change in the growth of the facial bones and dentition with clinically significant changes in the facial soft tissues. This article examines the current evidence.