Effects of the functional regulator III on transversal changes: a postero-anterior cephalometric and model study

Abstract

Studies assessing the transversal treatment changes caused by the functional regulator III (FR-3) are limited in number. This clinical study was planned to analyse the transversal effects of the FR-3 appliance therapy. The treatment group consisted of 17 patients (8 males and 9 females) with Class III malocclusion, who were treated with the FR-3 appliance. The control group consisted of 17 subjects (7 males and 10 females) with a normal occlusion. Mean ages of the subjects were 10.73 and 10.66 years in the treatment and control groups, respectively. Postero-anterior radiographs and stone casts were obtained before (T1) and after (T2) treatment/observation. The results of the Student's t-test comparing initial values showed that maxillary dentoalveolar and skeletal widths are significantly larger in the control group than those in the treatment group. At the end of the treatment, significant transverse increments occurred only at the dentoalveolar level of the maxilla. The transversal changes in the mandible were not statistically significant. Buccal shields of FR-3 did not stimulate the growth of maxillary apical base but caused an enhanced and supplementary widening of maxillary dental and alveolar structures.

Comparison of the soft and hard tissue effects of two different protraction mechanisms in class III patients: a randomized clinical trial

“…The primary objective of class III malocclusion treatment should be focused on soft tissue profile and appearance rather than occlusion, as opposed to other malocclusion groups [12,13]. Soft tissue response to FM therapy has been investigated in previous studies [4,14,15].…”

Morphological Changes of Frankel Functional Regulator III in Mixed Dentition with Class III Malocclusion

“…Some scholars have observed substantial effects due to FR-3 appliance's treatment on the maxillary basal bone (Levin et al, 2008). On the other hand, some scholars claimed that the correction of a Class III malocclusion is produced mainly by the clockwise rotation of the mandibular and/or the alterations in upper and lower incisors inclinations (Kilic et al, 2011;Yang et al, 2014). After the treatment of FR-3 appliance in our study, MP-FH, ANS-Me and ANS-Me/N-Me showed a statistically significant increase, demonstrating that the FR-3 appliance can produce the mandible to rotate backward and downward, which is beneficial to improve the general class III concave facial profile, but it should be used with caution in the high-angle patient to prevent the occurrence of open occlusion (Baik et al; Kalavritinos et al).…”

Assessment of Growth Changes in the Width of Dental Arches Caused by Removable Appliances over a Period of 10 Months in Children with Malocclusion

“…Removable appliances are widely used in the treatment of malocclusions. It has been shown that they improve dental and skeletal treatment outcomes [ 3 , 4 ]. Fränkel emphasized the importance of soft tissue impact, pointing out that abnormal craniofacial muscle tone plays a key role in the development of skeletal and alveolar defects.…”