Orthopedic treatment of Class III malocclusion with rapid maxillary expansion combined with a face mask: a cephalometric assessment of craniofacial growth patterns

Abstract

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.

The immediate effect of alternate rapid maxillary expansions and constrictions on the alveolus: a retrospective cone beam computed tomography study

“…The extent of circumaxillary suture disjunction with a 5-week Alt-RAMEC protocol, demonstrated in a cat model, was significantly greater (94.4% vs. 64.8%) than with a 1-week RME protocol [ 6 ]. The amount of maxillary protraction has been reported to be 4–6 mm in 5 months under the Alt-RAMEC protocol [ 1 , 3 ], whereas it was 1.5–3.0 mm in 10 to 12 months under the RME protocol [ 7 – 11 ].…”

A retrospective evaluation of conventional rapid maxillary expansion versus alternate rapid maxillary expansion and constriction protocol combined with protraction headgear in the management of developing skeletal Class III malocclusion

“…[ 20 ] and Tagawa et al . [ 21 ] in their cephalometric studies also concluded that the Alt-RAMEC protocol along with reverse pull headgear treatment was advantageous in the correction of mild-to-moderate maxillary retrusion in Class III patients. Their studies showed that the forward movement of the maxilla was without maxillary incisor movement.…”

Tratamento precoce em pacientes classe III e expansão maxilar com disjuntor tipo Hyrax associado a máscara de Petit: uma revisão de literatura

“…Um aspecto inerente ao processo de tratamento para a má oclusão classe III é que o sucesso do seu tratamento é bastante perceptível em pacientes na fase do crescimento puberal, pois a presença da maturidade esquelética no indivíduo pode dificultar o processo de correção, mesmo com o uso da máscara (Tagawa et al 2012;Dores et al 2023). O protocolo de tratamento pode incluir ainda o uso de um splint acrílico para auxiliar na expansão maxilar e a expansão maxilar com disjuntor tipo Hyrax associado à máscara modelo Petit tem se mostrado eficaz na correção desse tipo de caso clinico de má-oclusão (Flores;Aguiar, 2021).…”