Objective: The aim of this prospective study was to assess potential changes in the cephalometric craniofacial growth pattern of 17 children presenting Angle Class III malocclusion treated with a Haas-type expander combined with a face mask.
Methods:Lateral cephalometric radiographs were taken at beginning (T 1 ) and immediately after removal of the appliances (T 2 ), average of 11 months of treatment. Linear and angular measurements were used to evaluate the cranial base, dentoskeletal changes and facial growth pattern.
Results:The length of the anterior cranial base experienced a reduction while the posterior cranial base assumed a more vertical position at T 1 . Some maxillary movement occurred, there was no rotation of the palatal plane, there was a slight clockwise rotation of the mandible, although not significant. The ANB angle increased, thereby improving the relationship between the jaws; dentoalveolar compensation was more evident in the lower incisors. Five out of 12 cases (29.41%) showed the following changes: In one case the pattern became more horizontal and in four cases more vertical.
Conclusions:It was concluded after a short-term assessment that treatment with rapid maxillary expansion (RME) associated with a face mask was effective in the correction of Class III malocclusion despite the changes in facial growth pattern observed in a few cases.