The Treatment of Class III Malocclusion in Early Mixed Dentition: Two Case Reports/ Terapija malokluzija III klase u ranoj mešovitoj denticiji – prikaz dva slučaja

Abstract

SUMMARY Class III malocclusion is orthodontic anomaly where mandibular arch is in mesial position to maxillary arch. Reasons for Class III malocclusion can be found in mandibular prognathism, maxillar retrognathism or combination of these two. In most cases of mandibular prognathism, it is necessary to postpone the treatment until the growth ceases. However, if certain conditions are accomplished it is possible to start early treatment of class III malocclusion to improve occlusal relations and provide more favorable environment for future growth. The aim of this study was to present treatment of two patients with Class III maloclussion in early mixed dentition, using two different appliances: Delaire mask and Frankel functional regulator type 3. The treatment with Delaire mask resulted in rotation of maxilla downward and forward due to the angle of extraoral part of the mask to the occlusal plane that was modified to be almost 45°. At the end of the treatment facial esthetics was significantly improved. Moving maxilla forward resulted in straight profile, whereas moving maxilla downward lead to coordination of upper, middle and lower facial third. The result of the treatment in patient who used Frankel functional regulator was correction of anterior crossbite by premaxilla development and incisors protrusion. Significant differences in SNA, SNB and ANB angle values at the beginning and at the end of the treatment were not found suggesting that most changes were dental but not skeletal