Treatment of Class III malocclusion: the key role of the occlusal plane

Correcting Class III Malocclusion Using Multiloop Edgewise Archwire (MEAW) Combines Temporary Anchorage Devices (TADs) With Modified Class III Elastics for Camouflage Treatment of in Adolescent: A Case Report

Introduction: One of the most difficult types of malocclusion to cure is Class III malocclusion. Maxillary protraction is a common component of orthodontic/surgical treatments for Class III individuals since maxillary retrognathia is the primary factor contributing to their condition. Objective: A Vietnamese girl of 16 years old presented with severe symptoms of anterior crossbite and Class III malocclusion of the skeletal and dental structures. Among the dental characteristics were a prognathic mandible, retrognathic maxilla, and proclined lower incisors. The medical history revealed no abnormalities. Methods: Since the patient refused to undergo orthognathic surgery, we suggested using multiloop edgewise archwire (MEAW), which combines temporary anchorage devices (TADs) with modified Class III elastics for camouflage treatment of Class III malocclusion. Results: This case illustrated the use of TADs. MEAW combines TADs with modified Class III elastics for camouflage therapy. It is a potentially effective treatment option for adolescents diagnosed with Class III skeletal malocclusion.

The Impact of Orthodontic Treatment on Masticatory Performance: A Literature Review

The aim of this narrative review was to evaluate the possible association between orthodontic therapy and improved masticatory function. A search strategy was conducted using the PubMed database for up to January 2020 using the keywords "mastication" and "orthodontics". Only human studies investigating mastication in orthodontics settings were selected. The search strategy resulted in 1,011 articles, out of which 57 were included in the final analysis. Investigations have generally agreed that masticatory and chewing functions improved post-orthodontic and orthognathic treatments. Studies also showed improvement in the quality of life of patients' post-orthodontic treatment. The articles examined reinforced that besides esthetic reasons, orthodontic therapy does improve the masticatory and chewing functions of individuals, ultimately enhancing their health-related quality of life.

Nonsurgical treatment of a hyperdivergent skeletal Class III patient with mini-screw-assisted mandibular dentition distalization and flattening of the occlusal plane

Treatment of hyperdivergent skeletal Class III malocclusion is challenging for orthodontists, and orthognathic-orthodontic treatment is usually required. This report presents the successful nonsurgical treatment of a 20-year-old man who had a skeletal Class III malocclusion with anterior open bite, anterior and posterior crossbite, hyperdivergent growth pattern, steep occlusal plane, early loss of three first molars, and an uncommon convex profile with a retruded chin. An orthodontic camouflage treatment plan was chosen based on the etiology and the patient's complaints. Tooth #37 was extracted. Miniscrews were used for uprighting and intruding of the lower molars, distalization of the lower dentition, and flattening of the occlusal plane. After 34 months of active treatment, Class I relationships, proper anterior overjet and overbite, flat occlusal plane, and an esthetic facial profile were achieved. The results demonstrated that the biomechanics involved in the nonsurgical treatment assisted with miniscrews to distalize the mandibular dentition and flatten the occlusal plane while keeping the mandibular plane stable was effective for treating this hyperdivergent skeletal Class III patient with a convex profile and anterior open bite.

The Law of Minimum Vertical Dimension: Evidence for Improvement of Dental Occlusion

The law of minimum vertical dimension (MVD) states that “when the mandible moves to reach the maximum intercuspal position, this always involves bringing the mandible and maxilla as close together as possible.” Therefore, after the first occlusal contact is made, the MIP will be reached through reduction of the vertical dimension. Our objective of this study, through an integrative review of the literature review, was to determine whether ignoring this law is a factor that contributes to malocclusion, temporomandibular joint dysfunction, and recurrences of functional orthodontic and orthopedic treatments.We conducted a search of the literature in five of the main electronic scientific databases. The following medical subject heading terms were used in our search: centric relation, dental occlusion, malocclusion, vertical dimension, and mastication. We cross-referenced the descriptors in the following four groups: centric relation and maximum intercuspation; occlusal plane and malocclusion; neuro-occlusal rehabilitation; and vertical dimension and unilateral chewing. From this, we selected 277 potentially eligible articles. Out of these, 209 were excluded in accordance with the exclusion criteria already described. Thus, 65 studies were included in the qualitative synthesis.The articles were also classified according to their impact factor and degree of recommendation, in conformity with the table of the Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine. The scientific interest in the scope of the articles was also assessed by using three charts developed according to year and country of publication and the percentage of publication. Unilateral chewing creates a vicious cycle of damage that leads to an ever-increasing masticatory deficiency. Most of the articles chosen for this review confirmed that noncompliance with law of MVD was a predisposing factor in cases of relapse, in functional orthodontic and orthopedic treatments, as well as a causal factor in malocclusion and in functional and morphological TMJ dysfunctions.

Orthodontic treatment of an adolescent patient with Class II division 1 malocclusion with consideration of growth pattern and occlusal plane: A case report

Consideration of growth pattern and occlusal plane is critical in orthodontic treatment planning to achieve optimal dentofacial esthetics and long-term stability in adolescent patients, which is illustrated by success in orthodontic treatment of an adolescent Class II division 1 malocclusion with nonextraction.

The reliability of a surgery-first orthognathic approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment for skeletal class III dentofacial deformity

BACKGROUND

Orthognathic surgery with presurgical and postsurgical orthodontic treatment is the most widely accepted method for the correction of skeletal or dentoalveolar malocclusion. However, recent advancements in presurgical orthodontic simulations and postsurgical orthodontic treatments using miniscrews have shown remarkable stability and control of the occlusion after orthognathic surgery. Thus, we have adopted a surgery-first orthognathic approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment, based on a novel presurgical simulation process using a dental model. We hypothesized that this treatment modality will be feasible for skeletal class III dentofacial deformity patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This prospective study investigated intervention outcomes in 24 standard and 32 surgery-first approaches for patients with skeletal class III dentofacial deformity. The patients underwent orthognathic surgery between December 2007 and July 2010. In the surgery-first approach, a dental model was created and a novel preoperative orthodontic simulation of the standard presurgical orthodontic treatment was performed to determine the final occlusion between the maxilla and mandible. Changes in cephalometric landmarks were compared between the standard and surgery-first groups in the preoperative, immediate postoperative, and postoperative periods. The Student t test, Kruskal-Wallis test, and a linear mixed model were used for statistical analysis.

RESULTS

The follow-up period ranged from 12 to 36 months (average, 20.5 months). The average age of the patients was 22.4 years, with 16 male and 40 female patients. We found that a surgery-first approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment is possible and can give similar results to standard orthognathic surgery. The statistical analysis showed that changes in skeletal cephalometric landmarks were similar between the surgery-first and standard approach groups, according to each period. However, the cephalometric landmarks relating to the dental component showed changes between treatment groups at different time points but similar final values. This suggests that the benefits of postsurgical orthodontic treatment after the surgery-first approach could be similar to those obtained via the standard approach.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgery-first orthognathic approach without presurgical orthodontic treatment was found to be predictable and applicable to treat class III dentofacial deformities, and we recommend consideration of the technique as an effective alternative for treating this condition.