Early treatment of Class III malocclusion with a tandem traction bow appliance

Abstract

Since Class III malocclusion is progressive in nature, the facial growth of Class III malocclusion worsens with age. Class III malocclusion is associated with a deviation in the sagittal relationship of the maxilla and the mandible, characterized by a deficient maxilla, retrognathic mandible, or a combination of both. The early orthopedic treatment of Class III malocclusions, at the end of primary dentition or the beginning of mixed dentition, prior to growth spurt, allows the accomplishment of successful results, providing facial balance, modifying the maxillofacial growth and development, and in many instances, preventing a future surgical treatment by increasing the stability. Many treatment approaches can be found in the literature regarding orthopedic and orthodontic treatment of Class III malocclusion, including intra- and extra-oral appliances. The major problem with extraoral anchorage has been of patient compliance due to its physical appearance. The case report presents an intraoral modified tandem appliance for maxillary protraction that has been used clinically to achieve successful results without relying much on patient co-operation.

Tandem Traction Bow Appliance for the Treatment of Skeletal Class III Malocclusion

“…Maxillary expansion is often used along with this to improve the orthopedic effect. It is important that the patient wears the facemask for the treatment to be [5] successful However, compliance problems are there due to the appearance of the extra oral appliance and skin irritation [6] from the anchorage pads TTBA was introduced by Chun et al (1999) as an intraoral device for the treatment of Class III malocclusion with the aim to overcome these difficulties. It was introduced with the objectives of patient comfort, better oral hygiene and most important of all it can be worn intra orally.…”