Facemask therapy with a removable appliance in early ClassIII patients

Objectives: The aim of this study is to investigate the treatment effects of facemask therapy with a removable appliance in Class III patients with maxillary deficiency in the deciduous dentition and early mixed dentition. Methods: The materials were pretreatment and posttreatment lateral cephalometric radiographs from 11 subjects (Mean age : 7y 8m) with deciduous and early mixed dentition, diagnosed as having skeletal Class III malocclusion with maxillary deficiency. These subjects were treated with a facemask and removable appliance for 10 months. This intraoral appliance incorporated clasps and hooks for traction elastic, and was maintained securely in place by covering the maxillary occlusal surface with resin. Five linear measurements and 10 angular measurements were carried out for each tracing. Standard descriptive statistics were calculated for both stages. Comparisons between the stages were performed by unpaired Student's t-test. Results: There was a significant improvement in the molar relationship. This change in molar relationship was due mainly to a significant forward movement of the maxillary molars. The significant outcomes of this therapy were observed in the maxillary skeletal measurements, while the palatal plane angle was not significant different. Point A moved anteriorly 2.7 mm relative to the sella perpendicular. With regard to mandibular skeletal measurements, there were no significant differences demonstrated in the A-P skeletal measurements for the sella perpendicular to Point B, in vertical skeletal measurements for the Y-axis, the mandibular plane angle, the Gonial angle, and the Ramus angle. As a result, the skeletal changes in both the maxilla and the mandible led to a significant improvement in the intermaxillary sagittal relationship without vertical changes. Conclusion: Facemask therapy with a removable appliance was shown to be an effective orthodontic treatment in early Class III patients with maxillary deficiency.